Flood Alert: FG notifies Niger delta and southern states of high risk

The Federal Government has warned the Niger Delta and other southern states to prepare for potential flooding. Water Resources and Sanitation Minister, Prof. Joseph Utsev, issued this alert yesterday, urging local governments and residents to implement emergency measures to mitigate the impact.

Prof. Utsev attributed recent flooding in Maiduguri to climate change and unusually heavy rainfall, rather than the collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State. He clarified that the dam itself is intact, but massive inflows from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the River Yedzaram, overwhelmed the dam’s dyke.

The minister promised an overhaul and upgrade of the Alau Dam, explaining that the volume of water this year exceeded expectations. Due to excessive rainfall, the rivers were unable to contain the water, leading to the overflow.

He also highlighted concerns about potential flooding on the Niger and Benue Rivers and their tributaries. He urged increased vigilance and proactive measures to prepare for possible flooding in southern Nigeria.

In Borno State, Governor Baba Gana Zulum stated that the full extent of the damage from the flooding is still unknown and will only be assessed once waters recede. He announced plans to form a multi-stakeholder committee to evaluate the damage and guide recovery efforts, calling for collective support from community leaders, businesses, NGOs, and wealthy individuals.

Business magnate Alhaji Aliko Dangote has donated N1 billion to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and N500 million to the state government. Additional donations include N100 million each from former Borno State Governor Ali Sheriff and Rep. Mukhtar Betara, and N100 million from the Gombe State government and N50 million from Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.

NEMA reports that the flooding in Maiduguri has resulted in over 30 deaths and displaced more than 400,000 people.