The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has cautioned that 94 towns face the threat of a five-day flood starting on Tuesday, July 16, and ending on July 20, 2024.
He pinpointed locations and areas expected to witness substantial rainfall and resultant flooding as per the forecast.
States affected include Adamawa (Gbajili, Ganye); Abia (Eziama, Arochukwu); Anambra (Onitsha); Akwa Ibom (Uyo, Upenekang, Oron, Edor, Eket, Obianga, Etinan); Bauchi (Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi); Bayelsa (Letugbene); Borno (Maiduguri); Cross River (Ikom, Calabar, Itigidi, Akpap); Nasarawa (Udeni, Tunga); and the Federal Capital Territory (Abaji, Bwari).
Additionally, Jigawa (Miga, Ringim, Dutse, Hadejia); Kano (Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Wudil, Sumaila); Kebbi (Gwandu, Jega, Kangiwa, Gauri-Banza, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Kamba, Birnin Kebbi, Bunza, Argungu, Bagudo); Katsina (Bindawa, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina, Daura, Funtua); Kwara (Kosubosu); Niger (Ibi, Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu, Minna, New Bussa, Katcha, Rijau, Wushishi); Plateau (Jos, Mangu); Rivers (Port-Harcourt, Onne, Okrika, Bori); Sokoto (Makira, Goronyo, Isa, Silame, Sokoto, Wamako); Taraba (Gembu, Beli, Garkowa, Gasol, Serti, Donga, Duchi, Gwarzo, Gun gun Bodel); Yobe (Gashua, Gasma, Damaturu, Geidam, Kanama); and Zamfara (Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukkuyum, Majara, Gummi) states are on the list.
However, Salako called on stakeholders to adopt preventative measures to address the flooding.
Regarding the opening of the Lagdo Dam by the Cameroonian government, the minister stated that the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is responsible for dam management.
“If there’s going to be any issue around the Lagdo Dam, they will inform the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, but I’m not sure they have had any information because if they have any, they usually also transmit such information to us at the federal level,” he explained.
The Sokoto State government has assured that it is fully prepared to handle any potential flooding in the state this year. According to Commissioner for Information Sambo Danchadi, the state government, through the Sokoto Emergency Management Agency, is working tirelessly to ensure a safe environment.
Additionally, Mustapha Umar, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the agency, revealed that they have conducted awareness programs in flood-prone areas to sensitize residents and prevent potential disasters.
He elaborated, “We even had an evacuation plan, the National Emergency Management Agency asked us to submit our plan and designated areas in case of flood and we have collated that and submitted it to them already.
“We have done a lot in terms of dishing out information to the people and creating awareness for them on dangers associated with flood.”
The Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control is continuing its efforts to clear drains in Yenagoa and surrounding areas to reduce the impact of this year’s flooding.
According to Chairman Walson Omuso, the Rural Development Authorities are identifying higher grounds to set up temporary relief camps.
However, he clarified that the agency is not taking new measures in response to the flood warning issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment, which listed Bayelsa as one of the states expected to experience flooding between now and July 20.
