Nigerien dam: 3,000 Niger communities face flood threat

3, 000 communities will be in danger of being swept away by fl oods in Niger state once Republic of Niger released water from its dam, the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has warned. Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, stated this at the weekend while speaking with journalists on the recent warning given by the management of Niger Republic dam on the imminent release of water and the devastating eff ect such would have in parts of the state.

He said the opening of the dam by Niger Republic would result in black fl ood in the country, adding that “Niger state will be worse hit by such fl ood which is more dangerous because its victims do not expect it but it comes silently.” He said the black fl ood expected to ravage 16 local government of the state, including Bida and Lapai emirates, would increase the pains and hardship of over 5, 000 people already displaced by natural fl oods resulting from rains that had begun to ravage the state. According to him, not less than six persons have been lost to the natural fl ood disaster that had swept across 300 communities in the past few days. “We have begun intensive sensitisation of our people to limit water based activities and move upland.

We have identifi ed higher land and we are using community leaders to prevail on the people to move out of water ways.” Inga stressed the urgent need for communities on the plane of River Niger and River Kaduna to start moving upland to minimise damages and avoid further loss of lives during fl ooding. He cautioned the people of Nupeko area where rivers Niger and Kaduna confl uence to be vigilant and keep constant eyes on rising waters while fi shing, adding that 66 communities of Mokwa local government and 55 others in Lavun local government had submerged in water

 

 

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