Delta and Kogi states have activated their camps for Internally Displaced Persons after the Federal Government alerted both states, alongside Niger, Kwara, Anambra and Imo, of an impending rise of the River Niger water level.

This is as the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, disclosed that the National Economic Council had approved N3bn to support farmers in Kebbi and other states affected by flooding.

The flooding advisory to the states came on the heels of the warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency regarding the increasing volumes of River Niger as of August 22, 2024.

The warning is in response to a report from the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey, Niger Republic, indicating that upstream activities in Niger and Mali contributed to the situation.

A statement on Friday by the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, noted that “Flood waters from these two countries are expected to move gradually into Nigeria through Kebbi State.”

It further noted that the dam operators at Kainji and Jebba on the River Niger had been informed and were prepared to manage the situation.

The NIHSA also advised states and communities along the River Niger bank to be on high alert as the floodwaters are anticipated to peak towards the end of August and into September.

The agency assured all that it would continue to monitor the flood situation in the country and provide periodic updates to the general public, accordingly.

Speaking with one of our correspondents on Saturday, the Deputy Director, Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Kunle Awojemila, said the ministry was collaborating with NIHSA and other relevant agencies to mitigate the impact of the rising water levels of the River Niger.

He stated, “We just alerted all the states along the contour of (River) Niger, which are Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Anambra, Imo, down to Delta states. Every community along those routes has been alerted. If there is anybody along the floodplain, it is better to vacate the floodplain. The Ministry of Environment had previously sent out a letter to the states, alerting all the states before the flooding started.

“Every year, a committee should be set up to make sure that every community on any floodplain should vacate the floodplain, and the drainages in the cities, anywhere, should be filtered. So, letters were sent out to the state governments.”

The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Manzo Ezekiel, stated that the agency was monitoring the water levels in Benue and Niger rivers.

“We have been on alert, monitoring the water levels along Benue and Niger rivers,” he said.

Similarly, the Head of Public Relations, Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority, Mr Adeniyi Saliu, confirmed that the gradual release of water from the Oyan Dam commenced in February, adding that the process was ongoing.

Saliu said members of the public had been informed about the development in March, urging the people living along the river bank to take precautionary measures.

“The gradual release of water from the dam has been on since February and it’s still ongoing to create space for excess water from upstream. We have already issued a statement in March asking residents along the river bank to take precautionary measures.

“The authority also held a press conference along with the Ogun State Government where we also emphasised the various measures being taken by the organisation to ensure safety downstream of the dam. We also intend to make more statements available as soon as we have new reports from relevant bodies,” he added.

Ahead of the imminent flooding, the Anambra State Government has urged residents of riverine communities in the state to be vigilant.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, advised residents of riverine communities in Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas to be on the alert.

He said, “The Anambra State Government hereby alerts Ndi Anambra to the rising water levels of the River Niger. Flood-prone local government areas such as Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ogbaru are advised to be on the alert.

“According to a statement by the Director General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Mr Umar Mohammed, on Friday, floodwaters from countries in the River Niger system are gradually moving towards Nigeria, starting with Kebbi State.

“The development is attributed to upstream activities in Niger Republic and Mali. The risk of flooding is, however, expected to peak by the end of August and into September. Anambra communities along the River Niger system are, therefore, advised to remain vigilant.”

Speaking on the flooding alert, the Deputy Publicity Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Afam Ogana, said, “We are aware of the imminent flooding that may occur soon due to rising water level on the River Niger as a result of upstream activities in Niger Republic and Mali.

“As a result of this, the flood-prone communities have been advised to be on the alert, watchful and also ensure that their properties are secured to avoid destruction. The internally displaced persons camps might be opened in some locations to cater for some people who might be in distress.

“The agency is managing the situation; every blockage on the drainage channels has been cleared. Farmers have been advised to harvest some of their crops that are due for harvest and keep them in a safer place. Families with little children have been placed on the alert to avoid any loss of lives and property.”

On the measures being taken to protect lives and property in Kogi, one of the states along the contour of River Niger, Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Muktar Atimah, said Governor Usman Ododo had directed the agency to monitor the situation and keep him informed about any development regarding the water level.

“As of today (Sunday), the water level is 6.5 and we are monitoring it. Once it gets to 8 inches, we will start to evacuate those still in the low land to higher grounds. Already, all our 42 Internally Displaced Persons camps have been activated and fully functional to receive would-be displaced persons,” Atimah told one of our correspondents in a telephone interview.

On its part, the Delta State Government affirmed it had put measures in place to prevent flooding by clearing the waterways and encouraging the people living in the lowlands to relocate to safer places.

Speaking in Asaba, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Ejero stated, “We are visiting the areas, asking the people to relocate to upland and as well as clearing the waterways in a bid to control the volumes of the flood. We already have IDP camps but the flooding has yet to happen as predicted.”

Also, the Delta State Government has set up a 16-man Flood Management Committee, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, said in a signed statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the committee, headed by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, has already “identified and prepared upland locations that can be used as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps for persons who may eventually become displaced or dislocated, if the need arises.”

The statement read in part, “Sensitisation and stakeholders meetings have also been held to prepare for any unforeseen incidents by NEMA and SEMA. Appropriate enlightenment jingles are running and are being aired in all media outlets and establishments across the state on flood alert.

“Continuous visits to the likely areas to monitor the level of flood are also being carried out. Daily/weekly predictions of rainfall and its likely effect as reported by the relevant agencies are adequately being circulated across the nooks and crannies of the state.

“On mitigation, the Ministry of Environment, the Waste Management Board and other stakeholders, have been directed accordingly and working tirelessly to clear and open up blocked drains and waterways to allow for free flow of rain water to the coastal lines where the state storm water projects are directed to.”

The Kwara State Government said it had embarked on a massive public campaign to enlighten the people of the state, especially in flood-prone areas, such as Patigi, Edu, Moro, Kaiama and Ilorin East LGAs.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hajia Nafisat Buge, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the government had launched a campaign against flooding to ensure the safety of the residents, particularly those residing in the riverine areas.

She stated, “The state government has embarked on erosion control measures in areas prone to flooding and apart from advising people in the riverine communities to move away from the river banks, we have launched a massive campaign against flooding in different languages such as Nupe, Yoruba, Batonu etc, on what the people in the riverine communities should do to move away from the flood-prone areas.”

The commissioner urged residents to avoid activities that could compromise the integrity of the drainage system, such as dumping refuse in the waterways.

“Together, we can protect our community from the threat of future floods and preserve the legacy of progress that we have worked so hard to achieve.

“The state governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, has said that the completion of the erosion projects is just the beginning of the journey towards a safer and more secure future, and it is incumbent on each and every member of the community to actively participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure,” Buge added.

She further noted that the National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission had inaugurated a N613m Patigi erosion and flood control dyke project, which she described as part of efforts to combat environmental challenges and improve the lives of the citizens in the area.

She urged community leaders and youth organisations to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring that the projects being undertaken by both the federal and state governments remained effective and operational.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said the National Economic Council was supporting farmers in states affected by flooding with N3bn.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi after inspecting some rice farms affected by the flooding in the Argungu area of the state, on Sunday, the minister said the financial support would help the affected states to mitigate the impacts of the flooding and enhance food production in the country.

He said, “The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N3bn as support to farmers who lost crops to the ravaging flood in the country.”

Edun added that the National Economy Council had been proactive in supporting the states and the Federal Capital Territory to address the impact of flooding.

Speaking during a visit to Wacot Rice Mills at Argungu with the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, the minister expressed satisfaction with what he saw at the company.

He said the rice mills had created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, adding that, “We are happy with what we have seen here, which shows that Kebbi alone, if well-funded, can feed the entire nation.”

He expressed President Bola Tinubu’s readiness to help with the expansion of the rice mill and other mini-rice mills in the state to boost food production, reduce food inflation and create jobs for Nigerians.

In his remarks earlier, Governor Idris appealed to the President to assist Kebbi rice farmers adversely affected by the flooding that washed away their crops.

“We appeal for support for the flood victims whose farms were devastated by floods, to at least mitigate their loss,” the governor said.

He noted that as soon as the wet season ended, the state would engage in massive dry season farming with support and encouragement for farmers.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, commended Tinubu for his leadership in reforming the economy.

The road project from Sokoto to Badagary in Lagos, he said, would help farmers “in the areas of irrigation and food security.”

PUNCH