Panic as Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam’s floodgates, put Nigeria on red alert.

Panic as Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam’s floodgates, put Nigeria on red alert.

The intention of the Government of Cameroon to open Lagdo Dam on River Benue has thrown the Federal Government of Nigeria into panic as it would lead to a flood disaster unless preventive measures are put in place.

The Cameroon Government disclosed this through a  notification letter signed by the Director, Ministry of African Affairs in Cameroon and was sent to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Nigeria.

The Cameroonian Government noted that the decision to open the Dam was to reduce the level of water caused by the persistent rain in Cameroon.

The Ministry therefore urged NEMA to immediately take precautionary measures and sensitise people of the affected areas, in order to reduce damage.

According to Salisu, the Cameroonian authorities will be releasing “only modulated variable small amounts of water at a time”.

The letter read, “I have the honour to inform that the Ministry is in receipt of a Note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon informing that Cameroonian officials have resolved to open the flood gates of the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in days ahead due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.

“According to the Note, it is pertinent to note that when the release of water becomes necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed Agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitize the populace living in such areas for vigilance and all necessary precautions”.

The effect of the release of water from this dam is largely felt on surrounding regions in about 13 states in Nigeria, including Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe

Others include Niger, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.

The government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, during the week, also advised the flood-prone states to embark on aggressive comprehensive sensitization campaigns, to ensure unobstructed drainage systems and strategic relocation of residents living along the riverbanks to safer ground.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev and the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, in a statement, asked all tiers of government to escalate measures up to the grassroot levels to ensure seamless preparations

The statement also expressed the resolve of the federal government “to foster collaboration, innovation, and positive transformative changes within the ministry.”