By Salifu Faridat
In a bid to avert potential disaster, the Greenstrides Development Initiative (GDI) on Saturday has issued a plea to the Federal Government, urging it to take proactive measures ahead of the expected opening of the Lagdo Dam downstream channels of the Benue River.
The primary concern is to mitigate the repercussions of flooding, which are likely to occcur once the dam is finally opened.
Mr. Viktor Ikiriko, the Executive Director of GDI, articulated these concerns in a statement.
He went further to emphasize the critical role of community leaders in coordinating the evacuation of residents living along the riverbanks. The urgency of this action stems from the fact that many of these communities are already grappling with the adverse effects of prolonged heavy rains.
Mr. Ikiriko also suggested that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should play a pivotal role in spearheading the evacuation efforts.
Furthermore, he underscored the necessity for all relevant governmental bodies and organizations to mobilize and collaborate in implementing strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of the expected flooding, ultimately safeguarding both lives and property.
He stated, “The news of the forthcoming release of water from the Lagdo Dam on the Benue River in Cameroon by Cameroonian authorities has, as it has in previous years, generated apprehension throughout Nigeria. It has become a recurring event that the Cameroonian authorities periodically open the floodgates of the dam to prevent the dam’s banks from breaching, an action that could have catastrophic consequences for the environment, ecosystem, and communities downstream. This includes the communities along the Benue basin and its tributaries in Nigeria.”
“The heightened concern regarding the imminent opening of the dam is entirely understandable, given the historical pattern of rising flood occurrences. Each passing year has witnessed an escalation in flood-related incidents. The recent flooding of the Benue River, which resulted in the inundation of farmlands, entire communities, and the loss of livelihoods, remains fresh in the collective memory, particularly among those directly affected,” he further remarked.