FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONFIRM LAGDO DAM HAS BEEN OPENED BY THE…………………
By:Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Federal Government has confirmed that the Lagdo Dam has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, made this known during a media briefing held at the instance of the Presidential Committee set up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja.
The minister urged front line States to be at alert as the effect would be felt in coming days.
She also called on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.
Dr Edu said the Ministry would work with Subnational 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.
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako disclosed that the Ministry had 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 assured that necessary measures are being put in place to avoid national disaster, and that recommendations on long term measures solutions will be presented to Mr. President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the menace of flooding.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, tasked Nigerians on the need to take necessary steps toward clearing drainages while governments at all levels play their roles.
He hinted 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 against the impacts of the flooding.
The Presidential Committee would be chaired by the Vice President, Kasim Shettima .