THE Federal Government has advised state governments in frontline areas to take necessary measures towards mitigating the potential impact of Lagdo Dam floodgate which has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who spoke during the meeting of Presidential Committee on coordination and implementation in Abuja, said the alert has necessary following an alert by the Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the country’s Lagdo Dam.
The minister who spoke at the instance of the Minister of Water Resources and that of Environment, expressed the need for effective implementation of policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating against the impacts of the flooding.
Edu acknowledged the State Government’s zeal in tackling emergencies, and urged them to ensure immediate evacuation of Nigerians living in flood front areas to safer destinations.
”State Governments have done quite a number of preparedness, we also appeal to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.
”Lagdo Dam floodgate has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities and that all the frontline States may experience flooding within the next seven days.”
She pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work with Subnational and Local Governments towards providing shelters for the affected Citizens.
”Because, 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 assured Nigerians on the resolve of Federal Government to put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the ministry has already activated the necessary flood warning alerts being release on hourly basis.
”Especially, on the water level of River Benue and River Niger as well as vulnerability level of the affected areas.”
Salako said 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.
He said that recommendations on long term measures and solutions will be presented to the President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding lasting solution to the menace of flooding.
He reiterated the resolve of the present administration towards working with Cameroonian 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.
Source: NAN.
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