Niger Ministry seeks Hydro Dams’ collaboration to prevent flooding

The Niger Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has sought collaboration with the management of Hydro Electric Dams to avert potential flooding in the state.

The State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Yakubu Muhammad Kolo, made this request during a visit to four major dams in the state.

He emphasised that such a collaboration would not only help prevent floods but also allow host communities to benefit from corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives while promoting Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s green economy agenda.

Hon. Kolo explained that the visit aimed to partner with the dam management teams to ensure communities near the dams benefit from federal interventions. He also urged those in riverine areas to relocate to safer, elevated land as part of flood prevention efforts.

Additionally, he encouraged the management of Shiroro, Zungeru, Kainji, and Jebba Hydro Power Dams to explore opportunities for environmental sustainability, flood security, and irrigation.

In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Idris Usman Gbogan, and his counterpart from the Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development, Alhaji Akilu Musa Kuta, along with key directors of the Environment Ministry, emphasised the visit’s importance to the economic progress of the state.

Receiving the team on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer of Shiroro Hydro Power Dam, General Manager of Plant Services, Engineer Abubakar, assured them that water is released in a way that minimises the impact on downstream communities. He highlighted that in over 20 years of operation, Shiroro Dam has never caused flooding in host communities due to careful planning and public sensitisation efforts.

Similarly, Plant Manager of Zungeru Hydro Electric Dam, Alex Valerio, noted that the dam management maintains data on host communities to ensure they benefit from dam operations. He also affirmed the management’s commitment to partnering with the state government.

The representatives of the four dams commended Niger State’s proactive approach to agriculture and expressed their willingness to enhance corporate social responsibilities as well as contribute to climate and agricultural initiatives.

The visit was part of the Ministry’s initiative to tour all four dams in the state, with the team inspecting both the upstream and downstream facilities of the dams.

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