- First Lady, Lawan lift Borno victims with N550m
- Dredging River Niger solution to flooding, says Kwara govt
- Manifest your courage, leadership, Obasanjo tells Zulum
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that 12 states are prone to flooding in the coming days.
In its latest weather alert for moderate to heavy rainfall, the weatherman listed the states prone to flooding in the coming days as Borno, most of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.
The prediction reads: “There is high possibility, in the next seven days, to release water from Lagdo Dams as the document released from Ministry of Water Resources stated.
“Consequently, runoff-water over the catchment areas will increase, coupled with moderate to heavy rainfall expected.
“There are high prospects of flooding as a result of the expected moderate to heavy rainfall from September 20.
“The streams along the path of the runoff-water release could also overflow their boundaries causing flooding, as we already have saturated soil moisture.
“The places flagged for expected flooding are: Borno, most of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.”
NiMet advised residents of the areas listed to be impacted to take proactive measures.
It said: “Ensure access to clean drinking water and stock up essential supplies. Floodwaters may contaminate water sources and increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Stay connected with concerned authorities and emergency services, and assist vulnerable community members, including children and the elderly.”
The Federal Government yes terday urged downstream states of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to activate flood control measures to avoid loss of lives and properties in the coming days.
Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Chief Uche Nnaji gave the advice in Abuja while addressing reporters on an earth tremor that occurred at Mpape in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and flood risks in some states.
The minister recalled the opening of the Cameroonian Lagdo Dam, saying the overflowing of the dam affected about 137 hectares of land between July 1 and 31.
Also, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and former Senate President Ahmad Lawan have donated N550 million to residents of Maiduguri affected by last week’s flood disaster in the Borno State capital.
Mrs. Tinubu donated N500 million while Lawan gave N50 million to the flood victims.
The First Lady announced her donation during a sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum yesterday in Maiduguri.
Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Mrs. Tinubu presented the donation to the governor and prayed for the affected persons.
She praised the state government for displaying good governance at all levels, pledging the continued support of her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), to youths and women in the state.
Read Also: Shettima calls for inter-agency collaboration to drive Tinubu’s agenda
Zulum lauded the gesture, saying RHI programme empowered many women and the vulnerable in the state.
Lawan made his donation on Tuesday when he visited Maiduguri to empathise with Governor Zulum, according to a statement by his media adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, in Abuja.
The senator, who is representing Yobe North, was accompanied by Yobe State House of Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Y’au Usman Dachia, and two other state lawmakers, Adamu Dala Dogo and Sanda Karabade.
Also, the Kwara State government has urged the Federal Government to dredge River Niger to curb the perennial flooding in Pategi and Edu local government areas of the state.
The government advised residents of the state to always heed flood alerts, enlightenment, and precautionary measures announced by the government and traditional institutions.
“In riverine communities, like Patigi and Edu and elsewhere, our royal fathers have continued to engage people in areas that are prone to flooding to relocate to places long allocated for the purpose. We appeal to our people to follow this important advisory as the government does its part of supporting them in various ways,” Communication Commissioner Bola Olukoju said.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Governor Zulum to use last week’s flood disaster in the state to prove his courage and leadership capability.
Obasanjo said the two qualities are critical to overcome the unfortunate incident that befell Maiduguri due to a collapsed dam.