Address Lagdo Dam flooding, Reps urge FG

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to address the recurring flooding caused by the opening of the Lagdo Dam in northern Cameroon.

The resolution came after the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to investigate the issue, sponsored by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda.

Chinda noted that the Lagdo Dam, built in 1982 for irrigation and electricity generation, releases excess water to prevent overflow, leading to significant flooding in various states, including Borno, Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, and Kogi.

He added that the frequent loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of farmlands, livestock, homes, and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Despite early warnings from Nigerian authorities regarding the water release from the Lagdo Dam, many communities remain unprepared and vulnerable to flooding. While a buffer dam, the proposed Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, was agreed upon to help contain excess water, it has stalled for years due to funding and bureaucratic delays.

He said, “Despite early warnings by the Nigerian authorities about the release of water from the Lagdo Dam, many communities remain unprepared and are left vulnerable to the devastating impacts of the floods.

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“While the construction of a buffer dam, the proposed Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, was agreed upon in principle between Nigeria and Cameroon to help contain the excess water from the Lagdo Dam, this project has remained stalled for years due to funding and bureaucratic delays.

“There is an urgent need for the Federal Government to develop long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of the annual flooding and to protect vulnerable communities along the River Benue and Niger basins.

“Unless swift actions are taken to engage relevant stakeholders, both within and outside Nigeria, to mitigate these annual disasters and to provide lasting solutions for affected communities, the situation will persist annually with each year worse than the former, thus diminishing the confidence of the people in the leaders.”

The House called for long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of annual flooding and protect vulnerable communities along the River Benue and Niger basins.

It mandated the Nigerian/Cameroon Friendship Group to investigate the arrangements concerning the Lagdo Dam and provide recommendations within two weeks.

Also, the House directed the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Works to expedite the completion of the Dasin Hausa Dam and urged the National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies, to enhance early warning systems and improve evacuation and relief efforts for flood-prone communities.