The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has proposed the construction of five buffer dams to mitigate recurring floods caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, shared this during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday. The agency also urged residents of flood-prone areas to relocate immediately in preparation for the annual floods triggered by the water release from the Lagdo Dam.
States identified as high-risk for flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.
Representing Mohammed on the program, NIHSA’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide, mentioned that a report has been submitted to the Presidency outlining the steps needed to address the issue, including the de-silting of some dams in Nigeria.
“There is a report submitted to the Presidency recommending buffer dams, and five have been proposed. The Federal Government is already reviewing this,” he said. “In the meantime, we must de-silt some of our dams and expand the tributaries of the Niger and Benue rivers. There is a minor issue with the design, but it’s being addressed, and in two to three years, these measures should be in place.”
This announcement follows the release of water from the Lagdo Dam, which came just days after water from the overflowing Alau Dam killed over 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.