Panic in 11 States as Cameroon Alerts Nigeria of Plan to Open Lagdo Dam Floodgate

Neighboring Cameroon Republic has alerted Nigeria of its readiness to open the floodgate of its Lagdo Dam to release excess water into Benue River which emptied into River Niger.

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday, notified the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), that Lagdo Dam would start discharging the excess water in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall in its catchment areas.

NEMA says that eleven states on the path of rivers Niger and Benue would feel the negative impact of the excess water to be released from Lagdo Dam.

The states are Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River.

Meanwhile, some of the state governments on Sunday announced the demolition of structures on their waterways to reduce the anticipated flooding.

The state government, through SEMA, International Organisation for Migration and Red Cross Society have done camps’ assessment. Before Cameroon opens the Lagbo Dam, people will be evacuated.

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Also, the state government has made all the necessary arrangements for this year’s flooding.

“This week, we will carry out more sensitisation to markets and churches to enlighten the people more on this. You know that some of these people don’t like leaving their homes to go to camps.”

On their part, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency said it was aware of the plans by Cameroon to open its Lagbo Dam and had prepared its communities in case of any eventuality.

The Public Relations Officer of the agency, Ibrahim Hussain, disclosed that residents of would-be affected communities were already moving to safe zones including schools and public centres.

He spoke with The PUNCH on Sunday in a telephone interview in which he said a series of collaborations and sensitisation had been going on among stakeholders to minimise any adverse effect the dam’s opening might pose.

“We are very much aware of the plan by Cameroon to open the Lagbo Dam. And we are doing everything to prevent avoidable loss of lives. We put everything ready, from the beginning of the rains to the end of the rainy season by taking the different stages of action plan.”