Stephen Angbulu The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has said his state is prepared to handle any eventuality arising from the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo dam. “We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task,” Alia affirmed to State House correspondents on Thursday after he emerged from closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The governor, who said he is prepared to mitigate the risks surrounding the gradual release of water from the dam, sought to dispel concerns about the state’s readiness against possible floods, a recurring challenge in the region.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government alerted citizens to a plan by the Cameroonian authorities to release water from the Lagdo Dam. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency listed flood-prone states as Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers. The dam is located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin.
The release of water from Lagdo Dam has raised concerns for Nigerians who are still reeling from reports of the devastating flood in Borno State, which killed over 100 persons and affected over a million residents. However, Alia said his administration is focused on preventive measures rather than reactive planning. He also highlighted ongoing talks about dredging the river Benue and exploring various options before seeking the Federal Govern.