As the rainy season intensifies across Nigeria, concerns over potential flooding from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam have prompted emergency responses from state governments in Benue, Edo, and Bayelsa.
Although the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has refuted reports that water had been released from the dam, state officials are not taking chances, with preparations underway to mitigate possible disaster scenarios.
In Benue State, heightened sensitisation efforts are ongoing. According to Tema Ager, Information Officer for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the state government has begun broadcasting radio jingles to alert residents of the flood risk. Ager stated that while the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has publicly dismissed claims of a release from the Lagdo Dam, officials remain vigilant.
“We have no confirmation that Cameroon has released water, but we are not waiting to be taken by surprise,” Ager said, adding that stakeholders are expected to meet in the coming days to further assess and plan for potential impacts.
In Edo State, authorities say there has been no formal notification regarding water discharge from the dam, but the state remains prepared. The Executive Director of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Ahmed Momoh, noted that inspections of erosion-prone areas, particularly in Edo North, have intensified.
“Flood and erosion control remains a top priority,” Momoh said. “We are reinforcing our infrastructure and monitoring systems, especially in riverine zones that could be affected by excess water discharge.”
Bayelsa State has also announced its readiness for any eventualities tied to the dam. Head of the State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, Walson Omusu, confirmed that while no official communication has been received about a possible release, the government is proactively clearing natural drainage channels in the capital, Yenagoa, and other flood-prone areas.
“We suffered massive destruction during the 2012 and 2022 floods,” Omusu recalled. “That experience led to the establishment of our directorate, and since then, we’ve remained on high alert every flood season.”
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has delivered relief supplies to communities recently affected by flooding in Bayelsa. Items were distributed to residents of Otuasega and Oruma, with the commission stating that the gesture aligns with its mandate to support the region during crises.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, represented at the event by Mrs. Chioma Nwakwe, reiterated the commission’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Only recently, we launched our 2025 Free Medical Mission and commissioned new public facilities with support from the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” he said. “Today, we continue in that spirit by providing direct support to vulnerable communities.”
The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Ednest Egerue Foundation, was praised by both local leaders and community members.
Susan Ibiama, founder of the foundation, thanked the NDDC for its responsiveness. “The flooding caused significant economic disruption here. This intervention is timely and impactful,” she said.
Representatives from the benefiting communities, including Innocent Abbey of the Otuasega Community Development Committee and Akaribo Lamanya of Ngbiama-Oruma, expressed gratitude and pledged fair distribution of the materials.
As uncertainties linger around the Lagdo Dam situation, affected states are reinforcing their response mechanisms, aiming to stay ahead of any potential flooding disasters.
