…Says 28 feared dead, 48,168 displaced by flood in 13 states
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said the ongoing release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.
Addressing journalists Saturday in Abuja, during a National Emergency Coordination Forum meeting, the Director General of NEMA, AVM Mustapha Habib Ahmed (rtd), said the situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.
He lamented that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48, 168 individuals in 13 states across Nigeria.
Ahmed alerted states and local governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.
He said: “This very critical Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) meeting was convened to discuss the current flood situation along the River Benue resulting from the on-going release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.
“Our Participation in this important forum, albeit the very short notice is no doubt an indication to our commitment to working together to develop valuable early warning information for dissemination to Nigerians to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and critical national assets and infrastructure.
“The outcome of our deliberations are also expected to be shared to responsible agencies and individuals to enable them take the right decisions in line with their statutory mandates
“The update from NEMA is that the Agency has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.
“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.
“Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters.
“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirms the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.
“The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.”
He added: “As a result of the unfolding situation, I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of State and Local Governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.
“Furthermore, we are expecting to receive updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) NIMET, NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa state and from State Emergency Agencies of the frontline states to keep on updating you on the situation as it unfolds
“I also wish to update you on the NEMA situation room dashboard which indicates that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 persons, resulted in the loss of 28 persons and the displacement of 48, 168 individuals in 13 States across Nigeria.
“I want to assure that NEMA will continue working with our distinguished partners and the Press to update Nigerians on the emerging situation.”
