Nigeria on flood alert as Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam releases water

• Sewage, corpses have contaminated vegetables, Borno govt warns residents
• ‘Over 15,000 Jigawa victims taking refuge in schools’
• NDDC sets up IDP centres in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta
• Dantata donates N1.5b to Borno flood victims
• Nigeria seeks global climate tax for vulnerable nations

With Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, still reeling from last week’s devastating deluge, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood warning as the management of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon began a regulated release of water yesterday.

The Maiduguri tragedy reportedly claimed over 30 lives.Although the NIHSA assured the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as major flooding is not anticipated downstream in Nigeria, it nevertheless urged the governments of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross-Rivers, and Rivers states to heighten vigilance and implement adequate measures to mitigate the potential impact of flooding due to the increased flow levels in major rivers during this period.

The agency said the initial release rate will be 100 cubic meters per second (m³/s), equivalent to 8.64 million cubic meters daily.This rate is expected to gradually increase to 1000 m³/s over the next seven days, depending on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, the reservoir’s primary water source and a major contributor to the Benue River.

The Director General of NIHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, stated that the dam managers plan to increase the water release gradually to avoid exceeding the carrying capacity of the Benue River system and causing significant flooding downstream in Nigeria.

Water release from the Lagdo Dam is expected to cease as soon as the flow into the reservoir decreases noticeably. Current flow levels along the Benue River remain within the warning levels.

The agency said it will continue to closely monitor the flow situation of the transboundary Benue River and other national inland rivers, providing regular updates on water levels to prevent further flood disasters.

This came as the Borno State Government warned residents against buying vegetables from areas affected by flooding, saying the produce has been contaminated with sewage, dead bodies and other harmful chemicals.

The Ministry of Information and Internal Security posted a statement on its verified Facebook page urging people to heed the warning to prevent disease and other health crises.

The statement reads, “Due to the recent flood disaster, vegetables from flooded areas are seriously contaminated with harmful substances, including sewage, dead bodies, chemicals and bacteria.

“Consuming these contaminated vegetables can lead to serious health risks, including waterborne diseases, food poisoning and other health complications.

“To protect your health and safety, we urge you to avoid buying vegetables from flooded areas. Only purchase vegetables from trusted sources and reputable markets, and ensure all vegetables are properly washed and cleaned before consumption.”

The ministry also urged residents to prioritise their health and safety “during this challenging time”. Relatedly, Aminu Dantata, an elder statesman and business magnate, donated N1.5 billion to flood victims in Maiduguri.

Dantata donated while leading a delegation from Kano to Government House, Maiduguri, to share their condolences. He extended his heartfelt condolences to Governor Babagana Zulum, the government and the state’s people, especially those who lost loved ones in the flood.

Dantata lamented the country’s economic deterioration and urged the elites and political leaders to repent and fear God. In response, Zulum expressed his appreciation for the visit, describing it as a beacon of hope and solidarity in a time of grief.

“The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of magnanimity by a 96-year-old visiting us. Let me announce that our Baba has donated N1.5 billion to support the flood victims,” Zulum said.

The development followed a N1 billion donation to the flood victims by Dantata’s nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. In a situation report, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Haruna Mairiga, revealed that approximately 15,000 individuals displaced by recent flooding in Jigawa State are currently seeking refuge in 45 primary and secondary schools, which have been repurposed into IDP camps.

Mairiga told journalists that the state government’s primary challenge is the resettlement of flood victims. He explained that the victims’ previous locations were in lower-lying areas, so they needed to be relocated to higher ground to prevent future flooding.

To address the immediate needs of the displaced individuals, the state government has purchased food items worth N2 billion, which have been distributed to the IDPs in the camps.

“We have distributed food to the IDPs about four times. As you know, we are using schools as camps. But for the good understanding we have with the schools, teaching and learning would have been disrupted,” he said.

Mairiga also acknowledged the support of various organisations. He particularly praised the World Health Organisation for supplying medicines to treat the displaced individuals.

Also, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said it has established centres for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

According to the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the emergency shelters include essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre.

Ogbuku disclosed this during a press conference at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt. The Managing Director affirmed that the Commission was taking proactive steps to alleviate the impact of perennial flooding in the region.

He said, “We have six of these facilities currently under construction in Otuokpoti and Odi, in Bayelsa State, while those in Delta State are being built in Patani and Ozorro, and another two in Rivers State.”

MEANWHILE, Nigeria has called for a global climate tax targeting multinational corporations and billionaires. The proposal aims to provide financial support for African countries grappling with the severe impacts of climate change.

Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the ongoing special sitting of the Committees of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in South Africa, made this call yesterday while presenting the country’s position.

Reacting to a paper titled “The Impact of Climate Change and Africa’s Strategic Pursuits Going into COP”, delivered by the Director of Programmes and Research, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Mr Charles Mwangi Nyambura, Kalu proposed a global climate tax to support climate adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable regions, such as Africa, drawing on the submission of Nobel Prize-winning economist, Esther Duflo.

Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, said in a statement that the deputy speaker, who expressed sorrow over the recent flooding in Borno and Zamfara states, among others, observed that the idea of the climate tax is to help mitigate the impacts of climate change on the continent.

He said, “Africa is disproportionately impacted by climate change despite contributing just 3.8 per cent to the global share of greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast to 23 per cent by China, 19 per cent by the US, and 13 per cent by the European Union. Climate change undermines Africa’s progress towards sustainable development goals, hindering economic growth and human well-being.

“At present, nearly 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, according to the World Bank, which hinders economic growth, industrial development, and access to essential services. Furthermore, Africa faces a widening energy gap compared to South Asia and Latin America, which have made more significant progress in bridging their energy deficits.

“Simultaneously, Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo has proposed a global climate tax to support climate adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable regions, such as Africa. Duflo’s proposal includes a tax on multinational corporations and billionaires to fund climate adaptation in low-income countries, helping them prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate disasters.

“This need for climate resilience was brought into stark focus between August and September 2024 when heavy rains affected many local council areas in Borno State, Nigeria, resulting in significant flooding. These floods devastated various communities, displacing many households and damaging infrastructure, crops, and shelters.

“On September 9, 2024, Maiduguri was hit by a massive flood caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam in the neighbouring Konduga Local Council, marking the first time the dam had overflowed since 2012. The resulting flood damage underscores the growing challenge posed by climate variability and human-induced factors, which have increasingly displaced populations across Nigeria.

“In Borno State alone, the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) identified 320,791 individuals in 65,731 households affected by the floods across 19 local councils. These include 157,274 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 108 returnees, all severely impacted by the floods.”