Our reporters Worried about the proposed release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon into the River Niger and River Benue, states along the flood path have started planning temporary shelters for affected residents. The Federal Government alerted Nigerians on Tuesday to the plan by the Cameroonian authorities to release water from the Lagdo Dam. A statement by the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed, listed 11 states at risk.
They are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers. On Wednesday, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Danladi Obagu, told The PUNCH that the state had begun setting up temporary settlements for residents living in flood-prone areas. Obagu added that sensitisation campaigns had begun across the 13 local government areas of the state to enlighten residents about the dangers of living around flood-prone areas.
He said, “In preparation for the impending flood, venues for the temporary settlement of displaced persons are already being established in flood-prone areas across the state,” He added that the agency had deployed officials to Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Karu, and Akwanga councils where flooding could occur following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam. “Efforts are also being made to assist displaced persons with relief materials when the flood .