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The substantial release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam has prompted Nigerian states along the River Benue to prepare for potential flood disasters in their respective regions.

To prevent loss of life and mitigate other flood-related disasters, states that could be affected have urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate their communities.

According to officials from the National Emergency Management Agency, at least 11 states—namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River—are expected to bear the adverse consequences of the dam’s opening.

On Sunday, these states advised residents in such areas to relocate to prevent adverse impacts on both human lives and valuable assets.

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It was reported on Sunday that Cameroon notified the Federal Government of its intention to imminently open the Lagdo Dam.

Umar Salisu, Director of African Affairs at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, communicated in a letter dated August 21, 2023, that the ministry had received a communication from the High Commission of Cameroon regarding the dam’s forthcoming opening.

Addressed to the National Emergency Management Agency, the letter contained the following statement: “I am honored to inform you that the ministry has received a Note Verbale from the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon, indicating that Cameroonian authorities have decided to initiate the release of water from the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in the coming days due to substantial rainfall in the dam’s northern catchment area.”

The letter underscored that, when the necessity to release water arises, the Lagdo Dam authorities would release a carefully controlled and modulated quantity of water to minimize and prevent any damage that could be caused downstream along the River Benue basin, both in Cameroon and Nigeria.

“In light of the above, we would greatly appreciate it if your esteemed agency would take all necessary proactive measures and actions to mitigate the impact and also raise awareness among the population living in these areas, promoting vigilance and necessary precautions.”

Situated 50 kilometers south of Garoua city along the Benue River, the Lagdo Dam frequently releases substantial amounts of water during periods of overflow, resulting in flooding across downstream states in Nigeria.

In light of this situation, certain states, which are anticipated to experience the consequences of the dam’s release, affirmed their intentions on Sunday to dismantle structures positioned along waterways. Simultaneously, other states have designated specific schools to function as shelters for internally displaced individuals.

Representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have identified 11 states situated along the course of the River Benue that will be impacted by the Lagdo Dam’s release.

While emphasizing that there is no reason for undue concern, these officials have specified the affected states as follows: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River.

State govs informed

The Head of Media and Public Relations, NEMA, Ezikiel Manzo, said the agency had informed the state governors, adding that the states had been advised on what to do to mitigate the impact of possible floods.

“We have introduced this into all our awareness programmes and in addition to that, NEMA has written to all the governors to alert them. We have also mentioned the things that they need to do in order to mitigate the impact of the flood.

“So what this means is that with this information concerning the excess water being released from the dam, it means that all the state governments along the River Benue axis, the time has come for them to match action with the information that has been given to them in anticipation of this flood.

“And some of the things they need to do is for them to immediately monitor the people and communities along the flood pathway and begin to move them away from danger.

“They (Lagdo Dam) are just beginning the release of the water, we don’t know, but if the rain increases and the release of the water continues, it means the people will need to move quickly out of the floodplain.”

Manzo, however, stated that ‘if after this initial release we do not have much rain again, then it means they are going to stop. I’m saying this because we don’t want to send people panicking that the release means that they should run away completely from the river bank.

“But what we are saying is that the time has come for the people to be conscious of the risk that is lying beside them in terms of the likelihood that the river will overflow its bank.”

Asked to name the states that are likely to be affected, the NEMA official said, “They include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi. Then from Kogi, we have states like Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa.”

‘Dam opened August 14’

The Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Clement Nze, also confirmed the letter but noted that the dam had been releasing water before the letter was sent to Nigeria by Cameroon.

“Yes, that letter was signed on August 21, 2023, by the African Affairs officer at the foreign affairs ministry here in Nigeria. The Adamawa State Government issued a press release recently, which my permanent secretary drew my attention to last week, on Tuesday precisely.

“I got in contact with the manager of the dam last Wednesday and he confirmed that they opened the dam on August 14, 2023, at 10.10 am. He said they had been spilling water at the rate of 200 cubic metres per second, which is about 20 million cubic meters per day.

“So the letter to the foreign affairs ministry is just to officially state it, but they have been releasing water before issuing that letter. They also confirmed to me on Friday that because of the huge volume they have released downstream, they decided to reduce it to 50 cubic meters per second, which is about five million cubic meters per day.”

Meanwhile, Nze explained that the flow of the water from the dam had nothing to do with Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states, “but after reaching River Niger, it will start moving down to Edo, Delta, Anambra and then to Rivers, Bayelsa, before it enters the Atlantic Ocean.”

He noted that the flow could get to part of Cross River, but stated that there was no cause for alarm currently, though it was vital for the governors of the identified states to make all the necessary preparations.

Commenting on the development, the acting Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu, said some of the activities of residents on the river banks and along the water channels, which could contribute to blocking the drains, were being removed.

He said, “We have created designated locations where we will relocate those living around the banks of River Benue and people occupying flood-prone areas across the 22 Local Government Areas that will be affected by flooding.

“We have also embarked on a sensitisation and awareness campaign on the need for people to vacate flood-prone areas. We have also met with traditional rulers, civil societies and other stakeholders on the need to advise their subjects to leave areas that are vulnerable to flood.

“We are calling on residents living along the river banks to move to higher grounds in Makurdi town for safety. We have designated public schools across the 22 Local Government Areas prone to flood as camps for victims of the flood.”

Iorpuu identified some areas within the capital city of Makurdi prone to flooding including Achusa, Idye, Wurukum Market, Genabe, Industrial Layout, Demekpe, Wadata Market, Rice Mill, Inongun, Agbohough, Judges Quarters and Gyado Villa.

In Nasarawa, the state government announced its decision to demolish all structures built on waterways across the 13 local government Areas of the state in a bid to tackle issues relating to flooding.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu, stated this while briefing journalists immediately after monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Lafia on Saturday.

Yakubu, who was represented by the Chief Environment Officer and Chief Prosecutor of the ministry, Abubakar Mohammed, said the action was a result of the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that 25 states of the federation including Nasarawa, would experience flooding.

He explained that the state government had already directed residents who were residing in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer areas in order to protect themselves from the floods.

“We have been moving from one local government Area to another to sensitise communities in order to minimise the effect of floods in the state,” he added.

In Taraba, the state government said it had alerted six local government areas and issued warnings to residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer areas.

The Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Jalingo, said communities around Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, to Ibi local government areas would be affected.

“I wish to bring to the attention of the general public, especially those living in the vicinity of the River Benue valley, a matter of utmost significance.

“Our primary objective is to strongly recommend that residents consider relocating to safer areas as a prudent step to mitigate the imminent threat of flooding and its ensuing challenges on both human lives and valuable properties.

“This advisory stems from the recent discharge of water from the Lagdo Dam, positioned along the course of the River Benue in Cameroon. It is crucial to underscore that the longest stretch of the Benue River in Nigeria lies within the boundaries of Taraba State.

“As a result, it becomes evident that the anticipated rise in water levels due to the opening of the dam in Cameroon will disproportionately affect our region. Those most susceptible to this impending circumstance are our fellow citizens residing along the Benue River, encompassing communities spanning from Karim-Lamido, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Wukari, to Ibi Local Government Areas,” she stated.

Anambra alerts residents

Also reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Authority in Anambra, Chinyere Nwoye, said Anambra State had been alerted of the impending flood.

Nwoye said based on that the state had begun early warning sensitisation to all the Local Government Areas that experience flooding.

“The state government and its international partners have carried out early warning sensitisation to all the Local Government Areas which experience flooding. And holding centres are getting ready now.

“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. 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.”