The Federal government, on Monday, confirmed that Cameroon has opened Lagdo Dam floodgate, warning that all the frontline states in Nigeria may experience flooding within the next few days.
In the bid to ensure effective coordination and implementation of various policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating the impacts of the flooding, the Presidential Committee, which met in Abuja, resolved that Vice President Kasim Shettima is chairman of the Committee.
The flood warning alert was issued by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, during a media briefing held at the instance of the Presidential Committee set up by President Bola Tinubu after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
While noting that the State governments have done quite a number of preparations, she tasked the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer locations.
She also pledged the readiness of the ministry to work with sub-national and local governments towards the provision of shelters for the affected citizens, noting that some of the people living in most of the communities who may be affected are afraid of losing their ancestral homes, despite the warning.
She, therefore, assured of the resolve of President Tinubu-led administration toward putting necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives of property of Nigerians across the country.
On his part, Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed that the ministry has activated necessary flood warning alerts on hourly basis across the country on the water level of River Benue and River Niger, as well as vulnerability level of the affected areas.
He also noted that the ministry has designed a veritable platform that will provide regular and real time information to Environmental Correspondents on the floor warning alerts without waiting for the ministry.
While assuring that necessary precautionary measures are being put in place to avoid national disaster, Salako noted that recommendations on long-term measures solutions will be presented to Mr. President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding lasting solutions to the menace of flooding.
He also reiterated the resolve of the Federal government to working with Cameroon authorities towards ensuring that the impacts of the release of Lagdo Dam floodgate do not result to loss of lives and property, as well as ensure that the damages are minimized.
In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, tasked Nigerians on the need to take necessary steps in clearing drainages while government at all levels play their roles as well.
He also assured that the ministry will on the long run ensure construction of dams as well as dredging of Rivers across the country with the view to end the menace of annual flooding, which has led to loss of several lives and property.
He also noted that the ministry is already meeting with relevant stakeholders at various levels in the bid to control the waters, embark on rescue mission as well as mitigate the impacts of the anticipated flooding.
The Committee also assured Nigerians of its resolve to provide necessary medical support to those who may be affected by the flooding, including scourge of malaria and other water borne diseases.