Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has assured that his state is fully prepared to tackle any consequences arising from the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo dam.
Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Alia confidently stated, “We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task.”
The governor aims to mitigate risks associated with the gradual release of water from the dam, addressing concerns about the state’s readiness for potential floods, which have become a recurring issue in the region.
This comes after the Federal Government alerted citizens to the Cameroonian authorities’ plan to release water from the Lagdo Dam, which has sparked worries for Nigerians still recovering from the devastating flood in Borno State that claimed over 100 lives and affected over a million residents.
The Lagdo Dam, located in Cameroon’s Northern Province on the Benue River in the Niger basin, poses a threat to several states, including Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, as identified by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
Alia emphasized his administration’s focus on proactive measures rather than reactive planning.
He also highlighted ongoing discussions about dredging the River Benue and exploring various options before seeking support from the Federal Government.
The governor said, “I didn’t say we are thinking on what to do when the floods come. We are not thinking. We are prepared. We are creating awareness for all our people. That is why I said the river requires dredging.
“So before the dredging, there are a number of things on the table: exploring to see which of the best options before the Federal Government comes in to support us.
“So, for the record, we’re not just waiting. We have a statement from the emergency management agency and team. They have the capacity to take charge of all these things, and they are already armed. We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task.”
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, addressed two key issues:
Firstly, he acknowledged the challenge of residents living in flood-prone areas, appealing to them to recognize the risks. “When you find such people, what do you do? You appeal to them, and if it doesn’t work… then risk.”
Secondly, regarding local government autonomy, Alia defended his nomination of candidates for chairmanship seats, calling the process “transparent and inclusive.” “What we did was to engage in a direct process,” he said, adding that hardworking members of the All Progressives Congress were nominated.
Alia advised candidates contesting in the October 5 elections to accept the nomination process.
