FG to build five buffer dams to tackle flooding

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has announced plans to construct five buffer dams aimed at addressing the recurrent flooding caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

NIHSA’s Director-General, Umar Mohammed, revealed this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.

The Agency also urged Nigerians living in flood-prone areas to evacuate to safer locations as the annual release of water from the Lagdo Dam is expected to trigger flooding.

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States identified as being at high risk of flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, NIHSA’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide, mentioned that a report has been submitted to the Presidency, emphasizing the need to de-silt some of Nigeria’s dams as part of the proposed solution.

He said, “What has to be done also is that there’s a report that has been submitted to the Presidency.

“We have to have buffer dams and five have been proposed and the Federal Government is looking at that already,” he said.

“But in the interim, some of our dams have to be de-silted, the tributaries of River Niger and Benue have to be expanded.

“I learnt that there is a little issue with the design and they are trying to amend the design. I believe that in the next two to three years that would have been put in place.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE