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Tag: flood

  • Residents trapped as flood submerge 151 houses, bridge in Lagos

    Residents trapped as flood submerge 151 houses, bridge in Lagos

    • NEMA urges Lagosians to prepare for flood

    Hundreds of residents in the Ayobo axis of Lagos were yesterday trapped after the early morning rain flooded the Marwa Bridge and submerged their homes.

    It was gathered that the metals holding the bridge caved in as a result of the heavy flood, causing school children and those going about their businesses to fall into the water.

    The Nation gathered that other road users quickly mobilised to rescue the victims before the flood could sweep them away while emergency workers were swiftly notified of the development.

    Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Fire Services, police and other stakeholders, it was gathered, rushed to the scene to prevent a stampede as the residents were already panicking.

    Aside from the bridge, The Nation gathered scores of houses and cars were submerged with occupants fleeing their homes for fear of drowning.

    It was learnt that the affected communities included Oke Ishagun, Isale Aboru, Ikola, Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, Makinde Street, Olokowo Street and Adeola Street.

    Some of the affected areas were said to have been flooded after the rainfall on Sunday and the water was yet to dry up before yesterday’s rain compounded the situation.

    It was gathered that the area was worse hit as a result of the volume of water channeled through the bridge which was constructed by then Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) to take water from only 15 canals.

    At the moment, it was gathered that the channel was receiving water from over 60 canals, thus overstretching its capacity by four times.

    Residents lamented that the bridge was taking in more water than it was originally contracted to absorb, urging the government to upgrade the place so that it would accommodate more water thereby reducing the flood situation.

    The over flooded river ran into nearby business centers, destroying wares such as caskets, gates, doors, furniture, bricks and destroyed houses.

    At the time The Nation visited the scene, two trucks ran into nearby drainages, causing gridlock on the road.

    A business man whose goods were washed away by the flood, Mr. Wale Olabanjo, while speaking with The Nation, lamented over the lost the incident incurred on him.

    He said: “This rain was not expected. No one saw it coming. We left here yesterday evening with our wares in tact, only for us to meet everything washed away this morning.

    “I sell iron gates and doors. This water washed away almost all my wares to the express and trailer ran over them. I don’t know where to start. Look at our goods. Where are we going to get money in this economy?

    “The water also carried away one “Mallam” but luckily,

    he was rescued. This is too much for me to bear. Please the government should come to our aid.”

    Confirming the incident, the Lagos Office Coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said that 151 houses were affected by the flood, adding that there was no loss of lives nor injury.

    He said the emergency workers were able to hold the bridge and also organize the people for ease of evacuation, noting that while some of them were successfully moved from their submerged homes, others were still there, against advise.

    Farinloye said 23 houses were affected at Oke Ishagun, 35 at Isale Aboru, 29 at Ikola, 15 at  Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, 12 at Makinde, 16 at Olokowo and 21 houses at Adeola.

    Read Also: Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

    He urged residents to prepare for the rainy season, noting that the incidents of Sunday and yesterday should serve as a pointer for what to expect this year.

    “It is important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all spheres of our societal endeavours. We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters.

    “Thanks be to God that no life was lost and no one was injured. What we witnessed at the most was the disruption of the normal lives of the people.

    “NEMA is working with the appropriate state MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from today’s incident and the state has promised to make sure no stone is unturned to make the state safer.

    “The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, hereby appeals to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them. Community Development Associations should live up to their responsibilities in coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments,

    “Local Government Authorities must not spare the rods against corporate organisations blocking the drainages while people must be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to save the society.

    “The Director General expressed his support of the Lagos State Government bold decision after the 2023 rainy season by pulling down drainage obstructing structures across various parts of the state.”

  • Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

    Lagos flood impacts 151 houses – NEMA

    The early morning flood on Tuesday in Command and Ipaja communities in Lagos impacted about 151 houses.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said this in a statement.

    Farinloye said preliminary assessment in some communities affected by the rainfall showed that residents were evacuated from 23 houses at Oke Ishagun.

    He said 35 houses were affected at Isale Aboru, 29 houses at Ikola Community and 15 houses at Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi.

    Also affected were 12 houses at Makinde Street, 16 houses at Olokowo Street, 21 houses at Adeola Street, among others.

    Farinloye said NEMA was working with appropriate state MDAs to ameliorate the effect of the flood on residents.

    He added that Lagos State had promised to make the state safer for residents.

    Farinloye said Tuesday’s excessive rainfall and downpour earlier on Sunday were strong signals of what to expect with the outset of 2024 rainfall.

    He said it was important to imbibe disaster risk reduction strategies.

    “We must begin to adhere to safety measures against flood disasters.

    “Thanks be to God that no live was lost and no one injured,” Farinloye said.

    Meanwhile, Farinloye said the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, appealed to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages and desilt them.

    Ahmed urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to be alive to their responsibility by coordinating the activities of neighbourhoods toward safer environments.

    He appealed to Local Government authorities to sanction corporate organisations blocking drainages around their offices.

    Read Also: Commuters stranded as flood takes over Lagos communities

    He added that residents dumping refuse in drainages should be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to save the society.

    The director-general expressed his support to the Lagos State government for its bold decision after the 2023 rainy season when it pulled down structures obstructing drainages across the state.

    He urged other state governments to emulate Lagos State by taking bold steps toward making the environment safer.

    (NAN)

  • Residents trapped as flood submerges 151 houses, bridge in Lagos

    Residents trapped as flood submerges 151 houses, bridge in Lagos

    Hundreds of residents in the Ayobo axis of Lagos were on Tuesday, February 20, trapped after the early morning rain flooded the Marwa Bridge and submerged their homes.

    It was gathered that the metals holding the bridge caved in as a result of the heavy flood, causing school children and those going about their businesses to fall into the water.

    The Nation gathered that other road users quickly mobilised to rescue the victims before the flood could sweep them away while emergency workers were swiftly notified of the development.

    Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Fire Services, police, and other stakeholders, it was gathered and rushed to the scene to prevent a stampede as the residents were already panicking.

    Aside from the bridge, The Nation gathered scores of houses and cars were submerged with occupants fleeing their homes for fear of drowning.

    It was learnt that the affected communities included Oke Ishagun, Isale Aboru, Ikola, Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, Makinde Street, Olokowo Street, and Adeola Street.

    Some of the affected areas were said to have been flooded after the rainfall on Sunday and the water was yet to dry up before yesterday’s rain compounded the situation.

    It was gathered that the area was worse hit as a result of the volume of water channeled through the bridge which was constructed by then Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) to take water from only 15 canals.

    At the moment, it was gathered that the channel was receiving water from over 60 canals, thus overstretching its capacity by four times.

    Residents lamented that the bridge was taking in more water than it was originally contracted to absorb, urging the government to upgrade the place so that it would accommodate more water thereby reducing the flood situation.

    The over-flooded river ran into nearby business centers, destroying wares such as caskets, gates, doors, furniture, bricks, and destroyed houses.

    At the time The Nation visited the scene, two trucks ran into nearby drainages, causing gridlock on the road.

    A businessman whose goods were washed away by the flood, Mr. Wale Olabanjo, while speaking with The Nation, lamented over the loss the incident incurred on him.

    He said: “This rain was not expected. No one saw it coming. We left here yesterday evening with our wares intact, only for us to see everything washed away this morning.

    “I sell iron gates and doors. This water washed away almost all my wares to the express and the trailer ran over them. I don’t know where to start. Look at our goods. Where are we going to get money in this economy?

    “The water also carried away one “Mallam” but luckily, he was rescued. This is too much for me to bear. Please the government should come to our aid.”

    Confirming the incident, the Lagos Office Coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said that 151 houses were affected by the flood, adding that there was no loss of lives or injury.

    He said the emergency workers were able to hold the bridge and also organize the people for ease of evacuation, noting that while some of them were successfully moved from their submerged homes, others were still there, against advice.

    Farinloye said 23 houses were affected at Oke Ishagun, 35 at Isale Aboru, 29 at Ikola, 15 at Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, 12 at Makinde, 16 at Olokowo and 21 houses at Adeola.

    He urged residents to prepare for the rainy season, noting that the incidents of Sunday and yesterday should serve as a pointer for what to expect this year.

    “It is important to imbibe the culture of disaster risk reduction strategies in all spheres of our societal endeavours. We must begin adhering to safety measures against flood disasters.

    “Thanks be to God that no life was lost and no one was injured. What we witnessed at the most was the disruption of the normal lives of the people.

    Read Also: Flood overruns bridge in Lagos community

    “NEMA is working with the appropriate state MDAs in amelioration of observations and findings from today’s incident and the state has promised to make sure no stone is unturned to make the state safer.

    “The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, hereby appeals to Nigerians to start clearing their drainages of dirt and desilt them. Community Development Associations should live up to their responsibilities in coordinating the activities of neighborhoods toward safer environments,

    “Local Government Authorities must not spare the rods against corporate organizations blocking the drainages while people must be prosecuted for blockage of drainages, dumping of refuse in drainages as envisaged in environmental laws to save the society. 

    “The Director General expressed his support of the Lagos State Government’s bold decision after the 2023 rainy season by pulling down drainage obstructing structures across various parts of the state.”

  • Flood overruns bridge in Lagos community

    Flood overruns bridge in Lagos community

    The early morning downpour which caused heavy flood on Tuesday in Lagos, overran the Command Bridge in Ipaja, Alimosho Local Government Area.

    Consequently, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advised residents of Command area to take alternative routes.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the flood occurred as a result of 60 canals emptying water into the Command channel where the bridge was located.

    Read Also: Commuters stranded as flood takes over Lagos communities

    Farinloyes said the channel was originally built to accommodate 16 canals emptying water into it.

    He added that NEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Police were on ground working to get trapped people out of the area.

    (NAN)

  • Commuters stranded as flood takes over Lagos communities

    Commuters stranded as flood takes over Lagos communities

    Hundreds of commuters were stranded on Tuesday morning following the heavy downpour that submerged many houses in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos.

    The rain, which fell for about five hours, started around 6am on Tuesday.

    It took over streets and bridges and impeded vehicular movement in most parts of the metropolis.

    The most affected communities include Abule-Egba, Command, Agege and Egbeda areas of Lagos.

    Read Also: Lagos govt shuts Mandilas market

    Emergency responders from the State and Federal agencies were on the ground to rescue the trapped victims.

    Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South West, confirmed the situation.

    He advised residents of Command Area to take alternative routes by avoiding Command and the near areas as flood has overrun the bridge in the neighbourhood.

    “NEMA, fire service and police are working to get trapped people out of the area,” he added.

  • Zungeru power project to provide flood control, others

    Zungeru power project to provide flood control, others

    The 700MW Zungeru hydropower project is expected to provide flood control, irrigation, as well as water supply and fish breeding facilities, The Nation learnt.

    The hydropower project will generate 2.64 billion kWh of electricity annually.

    The hydroelectric facility was built by a Chinese consortium comprising Sinohydro Corporation Limited and China National Electric Engineering Company at the cost of $1.3bn (₦162.9 billion).

    The Zungeru hydropower project, located on the Kaduna River in Niger State, Nigeria, according to a document by the Chinese Embassy, was built with a preferential loan facility from the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) of China.

    The document stated that apart from that, the Zungeru hydropower project “is expected to provide flood control, irrigation, as well as water supply and fish breeding facilities.”

    Read Also: President concerned about flooding situation in Ogun – Betta Edu

    The project which was successfully handed over to the Nigeria Government on August 15, 2023, “is expected to meet close to 10 percent of Nigeria’s total domestic energy needs.”

    The main components of the Zungeru hydropower project include a 2,400m roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity feed dam, an underground powerhouse located behind the RCC dam, a tail-race channel, and two switch-yards on both banks of the river.

    “The construction works on the power plant started in May 2013. The engineering, procurement, and construction contract was awarded to a Chinese consortium comprising China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and Sinohydro.

    “The Zungeru hydropower project is a testament to the China-Nigeria partnership at its best and is set to make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s power generation capacity,” the document added.

  • Residents flee Ogun community as flood wreaks havoc

    Residents flee Ogun community as flood wreaks havoc

    • Recall havoc wreaked by disaster in their homes
    • Resident: My marriage under threat

    When the Nigerian Meteorological Agency predicted that about 15 states across the country would experience heavy rainfall some time ago, not many individuals or communities envisaged the kind of disaster they are now grappling with. Residents of Sodipe, a community in Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State lamented their fate during a visit by GBENGA ADERANTI.

    A couple of weeks ago, the entire Sodipe, a community in Ifo Local Government of Ogun State, was a dry land where people and vehicles moved around freely. But after a downpour that occurred in the community with utmost cruelty recently, its topography has changed remarkably.
    At the time our correspondent visited penultimate two weeks ago, a sizable part of the community had literally turned into a river. Houses were submerged while families were torn apart. Only innocent children, who were oblivious to the havoc, could afford some smiles as they had fun in the flood water for which their parents had to deploy canoes to access their homes.
    It was a case of different strokes for different folks as the kids fished excitedly in the flood water and wished it did not recede soon while their distraught parents lamented their fate.
    A resident who gave his name as Alfa Muraina said he was in a dilemma as he was torn between selling his house and keeping his wife. The grim possibility of biding their more than 16-year-old marriage goodbye stares him in the face.
    Muraina recalled that trouble began with his wife’s suggestion that their flooded building be sold. While he has so far managed to keep his wife’s wish at bay, he fears that her insistence could ultimately force him to do her bidding because he is not prepared for a broken home.
    According to him, he has not had any serious problems with his wife of over 16 years, but their blissful marriage could come to an end any time soon because his wife has threatened to move out of the house.
    In a chat with our correspondent, Muraina, who said he was battling to save his marriage because his wife has ordered him to sell their house, said: “She has threatened to move out if I don’t sell the house. I doubt if I can ever muster the funds needed to build that kind of house in this harsh economy.”
    Muraina said he was out of town when his wife called that their house had been flooded, and he had never seen his wife so hysterical.
    “As you can see, I can’t enter my house again. I had to move my chicken to another place in order not to drown. Everything in my compound has been destroyed by the flood.”
    He told The Nation that he had made various efforts to prevent the flood from displacing him, but his efforts are thwarted each time Lagdo Dam is opened by Cameroonian authorities and the community is flooded.
    Although the water level had receded when our correspondent visited the community again last Friday, Muraina said he could be forced to relocate “if the pressure from my wife persists”. Yet Sodipe is just one of the thousands of communities where residents have been displaced by floods in different parts of the country. For people who live within flood-prone areas, it is always anguish every time rain falls or water is released from the dam.
    Although the water is gradually receding; it has caused many people a lot of hardship. One of them is another resident of the community and fish farmer named Anthony Wande, who considered himself a bit lucky that while his compound was submerged his fish pond inside the compound was not seriously affected.
    But his farm located not far away from the community has been taken over by flood; a situation that has impacted negatively on his means of livelihood.
    Wande said they had expected the flood to come in August but it did not occur until October, just as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had predicted.
    He said: “We were expecting the flood to happen in August but it did not come. It was when we were thinking of returning to the farm that the flood came.
    “We had started land clearing and other necessary preparations when the flood came suddenly.”
    Asking if he thought there was a way out of the perennial problem, he said there is nothing anyone can do about it.
    Like Muraina, Wande is considering relocating his farm.
    He said: “If I can get land to farm in another place and there is need for irrigation, I will dig a borehole. But as for my house, I’m not thinking of moving anywhere. I have accepted my fate. I just have to manage the situation.”
    Among the casualties of the disaster is one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in the community which has already been sacked. The church was always a beehive of activities, especially during its annual retreats at Easter and December periods. But that is no longer the case as the once bubbling centre is now abandoned.
    Activities at the praying centre have been suspended, making it doubtful that the church would hold its annual retreat at the centre this December.
    “Their big auditorium is still standing but they have abandoned the place after trying several times but discovered that they cannot control the flood,” a resident said.

    Read Also: Motorists, commuters stranded in Lagos flood


    Another source said the entire land had been sold and allocated to owners many years back but the land remains undeveloped as nobody is ready to build on it for fear of flooding.
    A resident who lives close to the Pentecostal church revealed that some of its members whose houses were affected had relocated. “Their members have more than 10 houses here but they have abandoned them,” the resident told The Nation.
    Another source told The Nation that a certain businessman attempted to build on the land but after spending millions of naira, the flood came and swept the entire structure. Since then, both the man and others to whom the land was allocated have abandoned the place.
    A popular Celestial Church in the community was at the risk of not holding its Sunday service when our correspondent visited the community two weeks ago.
    “It is a temporary setback. We will get over it. It is not the first time this would happen; we are used to it,” an official of the church said as he tried to play down the threats posed by flood in the community.
    The source added that until the government stops opening the dams, people will continue to battle with the challenge of flooding.
    “There is nothing anybody can do about it. The place is dry land or not a swamp; it is the dam from Cameroon that is causing the problem. I had bought the land before I knew that there was going to be the problem of flooding.
    “I took the bull by the horns by constructing a high foundation. That is why no matter the volume of water, it would not enter my place. Although you may see it on the premises, it would not enter my building.
    “The flood of this nature comes every 5-7 years and always comes in October, we always expect it, but the opening of the dam coupled with the rain has made it worse for people. That is why the flood entered so many houses and the owners abandoned the houses and fled,” another resident told our correspondent.
    While some residents have had to vacate their homes, those who have managed to stay are being harassed by reptiles.While the water has started receding, it is only a temporary relief for the flood-prone community as a snap opening of Lagdo Dam or another heavy rain could trigger another session of flooding. Residents of the community are blaming their plight on both Lagdo and Oyan dams, but the federal government would pick holes in the allegation.
    According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, dams are mainly responsible for the control of flooding and irrigation for agricultural purposes; hence the Oyan Dam could not have been responsible for the flooding.
    “The condition of the 270 million cubic water reservoirs is perfect and it could not have caused the recent flooding in the states,” Utsev said, adding that the federal government was working on a document to help it in controlling flooding across the country.
    He urged the governments of states affected by flooding to evolve measures that would control their citizens and prevent them from building and dumping refuse on waterways.
    “The annual flooding occurrence should not be blamed on the release of water from any of the dams in the country. We should rather look at other causes,” he said.
    Disaster foretold by NiMET
    If only people had heeded the warnings of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in August, the disaster would probably have been avoided in many of the affected communities. NiMET had predicted that about 15 states across the country would experience heavy rainfall for three days.
    The agency also forecast strong winds in at least 18 states from Friday, October 6 to Sunday, October 8.
    On the rainfall predictions, the agency stated: “Prospects of moderate to heavy rainfall during the forecast period (0000 – 2359hrs, Friday 5th October 2023), exist over parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun States.
    “There are chances of moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday 7th October (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Cross River, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
    “There is a likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall on Sunday 8th October (0000 – 2359hrs), over parts of Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, and Ogun states.”

  • Motorists, commuters stranded in Lagos flood

    Motorists, commuters stranded in Lagos flood

    Heavy downpour on Friday left some parts of Lagos enveloped by flood.

    Traders, motorists and residents in affected areas groaned over the flood that characterised the heavy downpour.

    Our Correspondent observed that sections of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway from Kola axis down to Ijaiye area of Lagos State were ravaged by the flood.

    It was a similar sight at Awolowo Road in Ikeja area of the state. The flood made some streets impassable.

    The flood also caused gridlock along the affected areas as vehicles drove slowly through the water.

    Read Also: Senate urges FG to curb flooding in Lagos, Ogun

    Some vehicles that broke down in the process further compounded the woes of the motorists.

    Similarly, traders were found stranded and helpless as economic activities around the market area were put on hold temporarily.

    Some commuters who spoke to Our Correspondent, sought urgent government help to fix the road and most importantly, fix the drainage issues in the area.

    They lamented that flooding along the Kola axis was getting worse.

  • President directs immediate action plan to combat flooding

    President directs immediate action plan to combat flooding

    As another flood crisis threatens to wreck havoc across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate  plan of action to mitigate its impact. 

    A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, said President Tinubu also appointed Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as chairman of the committee.

    According to the statement, the committee will produce a road map by harmonising the recent National Economic Council (NEC) report on flood, the 2022 National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan as well as all other national reports on flood. 

    The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, will serve as vice chairman of the committee which is expected to submit its recommendations within seven days. 

    The decision was taken after an emergency meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    President Tinubu gave marching orders to the committee for an action plan on all the reports, saying it was best to be proactive than to be reactive. 

    “Based on the submissions by the DG of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the situation is not that terrible but to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The submissions by the other relevant stakeholders are equally poignant and we can’t afford to take chances. 

    “Though the situation is not as bad as we might think, we need to set up a committee so that the report of the Presidential Committee and the 2022 Federal Executive Council – approved broad preparedness plan should be harmonised and  implemented immediately,” the Vice President said. 

    Shettima noted that a feasible roadmap would  address the flood crisis in Nigeria, adding that  responsibilities would be shouldered by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Federal Government. 

    He stated: “I deliberately invited the NEDC and NDDC so that with whatever resources that NEMA has, they have to be released to the states so that they can start making preparations for any eventuality. 

    Read Also: Adamawa floods claim 33 lives, displace households

    “Based on the Presidential directive, I will meet with the Chief Executives of the NEDC and NDDC for states that are under their coverage. There should be interventions from them. For NEDC they can take care of Taraba, Bauchi and Adamawa. For NDDC, they can take care of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Cross River . For states like Ebonyi, Kogi and Benue, we will mobilise from our savings and deploy same to assist them. We have to share responsibilities and hence the immediate need for the roadmap to be implemented”. 

    The Chief Executives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), National Water Resources Institute, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) all made presentations with reactions from Governors of Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi and Cross River States. Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa State Governors were represented by their deputies. 

    Other members of the committee include Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of State for Environment, Kunle Salako; Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo; Chief Executives of NEMA,NIWA and NiHSA, among others. 

    The Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, will serve as secretary of the committee.

  • Flood looms in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, six others as Lagdo dam releases water

    Flood looms in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, six others as Lagdo dam releases water

    • 159,157 persons affected, 48,168 displaced, 28 dead in 13 States

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to expect floods as Lagdo Dam in Cameroon releases water from its dam.

    The agency noted that nine states may be affected by the recent release of water from the dam which is expected to last till the end of this month.

    This was disclosed yesterday by the Director General of NEMA,  Mustapha Ahmed, while giving an update on the release of water from Lagdo Dam and consequential flooding of communities along the banks of River Benue.

    The states that may be affected are; Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.

    Ahmed said the recent release has led to the displacement of communities and could lead to the destruction of crops and other infrastructure.

    The DG said: “NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue States in the past 48 hours.

    Read Also: Flood looms in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, six others as Lagdo dam releases water

    “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 confirm 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.”

    The agency cautioned 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 the flooding of communities.

    NEMA promised to give further updates as it expects 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.

    On the number of those that have been affected so far by flood this year, he said: “The NEMA situation room dashboard 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.”