Ministry inspects states likely to be affected by Lagdo dam water release

In a bid to mitigate the effects of flood on human lives and property, the Ministry of Environment has embarked on a tour of states likely to be affected by the overflow.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Nana Mede, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that the tour became necessary following an announcement by the Cameroonian authorities that it would release excess water from the Lagdo dam.

Mede said the visit was to enable officials of the ministry to carry out a holistic analysis of the impending situation and to make all the necessary arrangement that would help to mitigate the effects of the flood on the people.

“Yesterday, I was in Makurdi, and by Monday, I will be in Kogi to have a holistic view of the likely requirements.

“When I was in Makurdi, I went to inspect the structures that were put in place in 2012 to see what needs to be done.

“Until we have a full picture of what may be required, where we will relocate people, what they will need by way of support, and then we will submit a report to the President before they will now provide some support.

“I have only visited one state now, Benue State and the governor spoke to me. We cannot lay hands on what was done.

“The governor said that nothing was done by way of support from the Federal Government when the 2012 incidence occurred.

“We will go to some few states that will be flooded.“

She called on people living in flood-prone areas to vacate the vicinity to avoid loss of lives and property.

The states likely to be affected by flood in 2015 include Niger, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kogi, and Benue.