The Government of Kogi and Delta states have set up camps for Internally Displaced Persons, following a warning issued by the Federal Government to some states across the nation that are likely going to be affected by flooding.
Niger, Kwara, Anambra and Imo are other states that faces threat of the impending flood as a result of the rise of the River Niger water level.
This was disclosed to newsmen by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who stated that the National Economic Council has approved three billion naira to support farmers in Kebbi and states in the nation that are affected by flooding.
The flooding advisory to states came out on August 22, 2024, with the warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency regarding the increasing volume of River Niger.
The statement released on Friday, August 23, 2024 by the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, stated that “Flood waters from these two countries are expected to move gradually into Nigeria through Kebbi State.”
The warning is coming as a response to a report issued out by the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey, Niger Republic, indicating that upstream activities in Niger and Mali contributed to the current situation.
The statement further noted that the dam operators at Kainji and Jebba on the River Niger had been informed earlier and are prepared to manage the situation.
The NIHSA advised states and communities that are very close to the River Niger to be on high alert as the waters are expected to be at its peak towards the end of August moving into September.
The agency also assured of its readiness to monitor the flood situation in the country while providing quick updates to the general public, as the situation unfolds.
While speaking to newsmen on Saturday, the Deputy Director, Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Kunle Awojemila, noted that the ministry was collaborating with NIHSA and other relevant agencies to fight the impact of the water level of the River Niger.
According to him, “We just alerted all the states along the contour of (River) Niger, which are Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Anambra, Imo, down to Delta states. Every community along those routes has been alerted. If there is anybody along the flood plain, it is better to vacate the flood plain. The Ministry of Environment had previously sent out a letter to the states, alerting all the states before the flooding started.
“Every year, a committee should be set up to make sure that every community on any flood plain should vacate the flood plain, and the drainages in the cities, anywhere, should be filtered. So, letters were sent out to the state governments.”
Also speaking to newsmen, the spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Manzo Ezekiel, said that the agency was monitoring the water levels in Benue and Niger rivers respectively.
“We have been on alert, monitoring the water levels along Benue and Niger rivers,” he said.
The Head of Public Relations, Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority, Mr Adeniyi Saliu, confirmed that the release of water from the Oyan Dam started in February.
He further confirmed that members of the public had been informed about the development in March, urging the people living along the river bank to be careful and on high alert as regards the situation.
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