By Oladipo Oluwatosin
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has ordered its grassroots mobilization officers to begin sensitization of communities in the frontline states to relocate immediately as the operators of Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have commenced the discharge of excess water from its reservoir with a likely flooding of 14 states in Nigeria.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari said the directive followed the alert already issued by Nigeria Hydrological Agency (NIHSA) with prediction of consequential damage to many communities on the coast of River Niger and Benue. He recalled the 2012 flooding which cut off some roads in some parts of the North Central and North East regions of the country and displaced many communities.
According to him, the report from NIHSA indicate that “The Lagdo Dam operators in the Republic of Cameroun have commenced the release of excess water from the reservoir by September 13, 2022. We are aware that the released water cascades down to Nigeria through River Benue through its tributaries, thereby inundating communities that have been already impacted by heavy precipitation. The released water complicates the situation further downstream as Nigeria inland reservoirs, including Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro are expected to overflow between now and October ending”.
NIHSA has also reported that Kainji and Jebba Dams have already started spilling excess water from their reservoirs. “This will have serious consequences on frontline states and communities along the courses of Rivers Niger and Benue. These states include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Enugu, Kebbi and Kogi. Others include the Niger Delta states of Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross-River, Rivers and Bayelsa States,” he said.
The Director General urged the State Directors to create awareness on the need for State Governments to “identify safe high grounds for evacuation of communities at risk, preposition adequate stockpiles of food and non-food items, portable water and hygiene and provide safety and security to enable them have fair level of comfort during periods of possible displacement”.
He also asked the Community Orientation Officers to identify other partners that will help to support communities at risk with necessary information that will assist them to move to safety.
Economic implications
What are the socio-economic impacts of flooding?
From records, Frequent flooding always result to loss of livelihoods, production and other prolonged economic impacts. The aftermath of the scenario usually trigger mass migration or population displacement. The huge psychosocial effects on flood victims and their families can traumatize them for long periods of time. It is always a tragedic event that most of the victims can't imagine.
The environmental effects of flooding on the environment include soil and bank erosion, bed erosion, siltation or landslides. It can damage vegetation and pollutants carried by flood water can impact on water quality, habitats, flora and faun.
According to Pastor Adedeji John, who spoke to Glintsightv on the solution to avert the forecast storm of another country's solution threatening our nations people. He said 'The predicted flooding if it happens may increase Nigeria's IDP rate in a tinkle of an hour. Nigeria needs God's intervention according to 1 Chronicle 7:14 to avert the looming disaster that may compound our existing brouhaha ranging from insecurity, election heat, unemployment, ASUU strike etc if it happens according to prediction."
The Nigerian Internal displace people (IDP) rate may soar beyond the present value of 3.2 million people who were displaced, including over 2.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in north-eastern Nigeria, over 684,000 IDPs in Cameroon, Chad and Niger and 304,000 refugees in the four countries.
Also the percentage of refugees who are freely leveraging on Nigerians resources will shoot up beyond capacity, which will invariably affect the nation.
According to UNHCR, 'Nigeria is a generous host allowing refugees to move freely and work legally. Nigeria is an abode to over 73,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Most refugees – some 67,000 women, men and children - fled violence in Cameroon.
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