Our reporters Kogi and Delta states have opened their camps for Internally Displaced Persons after the Federal Government alerted both states, alongside Niger, Kwara, Anambra and Imo, of an impending rise of the River Niger water level. This is as the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, disclosed that the National Economic Council had approved N3bn to support farmers in Kebbi and other states affected by flooding. The flooding advisory to the states came on the heels of the warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency regarding the increasing volumes of River Niger as of August 22, 2024.
The warning is in response to a report from the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey, Niger Republic, indicating that upstream activities in Niger and Mali contributed to the situation. A statement on Friday by the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, noted that “Flood waters from these two countries are expected to move gradually into Nigeria through Kebbi State.” It further noted that the dam operators at Kainji and Jebba on the River Niger had been informed and were prepared to manage the situation.
The NIHSA also advised states and communities along the River Niger bank to be on high alert as the floodwaters are anticipated to peak towards the end of August and into September. The agency assured all that it would continue to monitor the flood situation in the country and provide periodic updates to the general public, accordingly. Speaking with one of our correspondents on S.