The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided reassurance to the Nigerian populace regarding the controlled release of surplus water from the Lagdo Dam, situated along the River Benue in the neighboring Republic of Cameroon.
In an official statement issued on Monday by Manzo Ezekiel, the Head of the Press Unit, NEMA conveyed that the agency is actively collaborating with key stakeholders at the federal, state, and local government levels. This collaborative effort aims to minimize any adverse effects on the communities situated in low-lying areas of the states that could potentially be impacted.
Noteworthy are the downstream states along the course of the River Benue: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
NEMA’s statement emphasized: “Anticipating the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam, NEMA has foreseen the possible repercussions and has factored them into its preparations for handling and mitigating the 2023 flood alert.”
The statement also provided pertinent hydrological information: “As of August 25th, 2023, the water level at the River Benue’s gauge station operated by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) in Makurdi measured 8.97 meters, compared to 8.80 meters on the same date in 2022. Additionally, the flow level of the River Niger system, particularly at Niamey, Niger Republic, remains stable at the standard level of 4.30 meters. Correspondingly, key inland dams like Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro are reporting consistent and controlled flow patterns.”
The statement addressed further observations downstream: “The hydrological station downstream of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers in Lokoja, Kogi State, currently registers measurements within regular parameters. However, the monitoring station further downstream recorded a water level of 7.80 meters on August 25th, 2023, in comparison to 8.24 meters on the same date in 2022.”
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