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Tag: NIHSA

  • Flood scare heightened as agency confirms release of excess water from Lagdo Dam

    Flood scare heightened as agency confirms release of excess water from Lagdo Dam

    Apprehension over impending flood in Nigeria has been further heightened as the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has confirmed Cameroonian authorities have commenced the release of excess water from Lagdo Dam.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Director General of NIHSA, Mr Clement Nze confirmed the development at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, but stressed there was no cause for alarm or apprehension of possible flooding in Nigeria.

    Mr Nze noted that flood occurrences in major parts of the city and coastal areas were largely due to excessive rainfall and flash flooding, which he ascribed to climate change.

    He said severe flooding with attendant damage and deaths could be minimised when relevant authorities took responsibility for preparedness, and ensured that people don’t build on flood plains.

    TNG reports every year, neighbouring Cameroon, which runs along the length of Nigeria’s eastern border, releases water from Lagdo dam in northern Cameroon, causing flooding downstream in Nigeria.

    It may be recalled that at the time of the dam’s construction, in the 1980s, the two countries agreed that a twin dam would be built on the Nigerian side to contain the overflow, but the second one was never realised.

    According to Nze, the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam was a normal reservoir operation to forestall the possible collapse of the dam.

    He said water releases are integral to safeguarding dam integrity and mitigating flooding in adjacent communities.

    “The Lagdo dam is located on the Benue River in the Niger Basin. The Cameroonian authorities commenced the release of excess water from Lagdo Dam by 10.10 am on August 14, 2023.

    “The release of water from the Dam commenced at the rate of 200 cubic metres per second, which is about 18 million cubic metres of water per day.

    “By 25th August 2023, the water releases from the reservoir has reduced to 50 cubic metres per second, which is a normal reservoir operation and far negligible to cause any flooding downstream.

    “However, by 5.16 pm yesterday, 28th Aug., 2023, the Hydrologist in-charge of the Dam notified the Director General of NIHSA that they stopped spilling water by 11.00am that same yesterday”.

    The director general said the agency would continue to monitor water flows in rivers Niger and Benue, saying readings by the agency showed no threat of floods.

    He said NIHSA was saddled with the responsibility to provide data for sustainable management of the nation’s vast surface and underground water resources, in partnership with key stakeholders.

    He urged states to complement Federal Government’s efforts by sensitising their populace on flood disaster prevention, saying FG cannot do it alone.

    He also called on states to clean up their drainage systems, construct more, and sanction those flouting the building codes, saying this was necessary to prevent disasters.

    Speaking on the Dasin Hausa dam in Adamawa state, which was meant to be a buffer dam to prevent floods whenever Lagdo dam releases excess water, Nze said its study and design had been completed.

    He said the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation had contacted the consultants, adding that procurement would commence in no distant time.

    On dredging of rivers Niger and Benue to curtail excessive flooding, the director general said it was an expensive venture and would require desilting, saying if done properly, it would recharge groundwater in many locations.

    Lagdo Dam: FG urges frontline States to start evacuating Nigerians

    Earlier, the Federal Government had advised State governments in frontline areas to take necessary measures towards mitigating the potential impact Lagdo Dam floodgate.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu, gave the advice while issuing a flood warning alert during a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Coordination and Implementation in Abuja.

    Edu said the call became necessary following the alert by the Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the country’s Lagdo Dam.

    The minister who spoke at the instance of the Minister of Water Resources and that of Environment expressed the need for effective implementation of policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating against the impacts of the flooding.

    Edu while acknowledging the State Government’s zeal in tackling emergencies, urged them to ensure immediate evacuation of Nigerians living in flood front areas to safer destinations.

    ”State Governments have done quite a number of preparedness, we also appeal to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.

    ”Lagdo Dam floodgate has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities and that all the frontline States may experience flooding within the next seven days” she said.

    She also pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work with Subnational and Local Governments towards  providing shelters for the affected Citizens.

    ”Because, some of the people living in most of the communities who may be affected are afraid of losing their ancestral homes, despite the warning” she said.

    She therefore assured Nigerians on the resolve of President Tinubu-led administration to put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako said the ministry has already activated the necessary flood warning alerts being release on hourly basis.

    ”Especially, on the water level of River Benue and River Niger as well as vulnerability level of the affected areas” he said.

    Salako also said, the ministry has designed a veritable platform that will provide regular and real time information to Environmental Corespondents on the floor warning alerts without waiting for the Ministry.

    He noted that recommendations on long term measures and solutions will be presented to Mr. President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding lasting solution to the menace of flooding.

    He also reiterated the resolve of the present administration towards working with Cameroon authorities towards ensuring that the impacts of the release of Lagdo Dam floodgate do not result to loss of lives and property as well as ensure that the damages are minimized.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, tasked Nigerians on the need to take necessary steps toward clearing drainages while government at all levels play their roles.

    Utsev assured Nigerians that his ministry will on the long run ensure construction of dams as well as dredging of Rivers across the country with the view to end the menace of annual flooding, which has led to loss of several lives and property.

    He also noted that the Ministry is already meeting with relevant stakeholders at various levels in the bid to control the waters.

    The committee also assured Nigerians of its resolve to provide necessary medical support to Nigerians who may be affected by the flooding, including scourge of malaria and other water borne diseases.

    TNG reports 32 states and the FCT, which are within the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas include; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti and Edo.

    Others are Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, as well as Zamfara and the FCT.

  • Five things to do if you live in a flood-prone area

    Five things to do if you live in a flood-prone area

    The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has issued a warning that Nigeria is likely to experience severe flooding in 2023, as indicated by predictions from responsible agencies.

    During a recent experts’ technical training on climate disaster preparedness in Abuja, Ahmed emphasised the importance of acting upon the seasonal climate predictions and annual flood outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    The flooding about a week ago in Trademore Estate located in Abuja, has served as a wake-up call for residents to take preventive measures to mitigate the impact of floods and ensure their safety.

    In response to this urgent need, here are five essential steps that residents can follow to prevent flooding and protect their lives and properties:

    1. Proper Waste Disposal: Residents should prioritize proper waste disposal by utilizing designated trash cans and recycling bins. It is crucial to avoid throwing trash into drainage systems or water bodies, as this can obstruct the flow of water during heavy rains and worsen flooding.
    2. Maintain Drainage Systems: Regularly inspect and clean gutters, ditches, and drainages to remove any debris or blockages and minimise the risk of flooding.
    3. Rainwater Harvesting/Installation of Sump Pumps: Install rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for future use. Additionally, residents in low-lying areas can install sump pumps, which help pump out excess water during flood situations.
    4. Secure Valuables: Safeguard important documents and valuable possessions by storing them in waterproof containers or placing them on high shelves.
    5. Create Emergency Plans: Keep track of weather forecasts and warnings issued by local authorities and develop an emergency plan with family members to establish evacuation routes and designated meeting points in case of flooding.
  • NEMA deploys experts to States to handle flood prediction

    NEMA deploys experts to States to handle flood prediction

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that experts from its agency will be deployed to all the states of the federation to downscale early warning messages.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, made the disclosure during the flag-off of early warning measures to stakeholders in Uyo on Wednesday Akwa Ibom.

    Ahmed said the agency would work in partnership with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    He  expressed confident that the initiative would enable all actors take risk informed decisions against future flood occurrence, support disaster risk management and engender sustainable socio- economic growth in Nigeria.

    “I am happy that we are here with experts from NIHSA and NiMet to support this initiative of the downscaling of disaster early warning measures to grassroots for effective life-saving early actions during the rainy season.

    “Subsequently, we are deploying some experts from NEMA, NiMet and NIHSA to all the states of the federation and the FCT to downscale and take the early warning message to all the relevant end users across socio-economic sectors,” Ahmed said.

    The DG said that the agency had written to all the state governors to draw their attention to imminent floods and associated secondary hazards during the rainy season to avoid 2022 flood disaster.

    The director general commended Akwa Ibom Government for the collaboration with the agency to ensure effective flood disaster management.

    “We are flagging off this event here in Uyo in consideration of the existing mutual support and collaboration between NEMA and the Akwa Ibom government.

    “I am glad to announce that we have gone a long way in the process of setting up NEMA Operations Office here in Uyo to advance a new vista of collaboration and to take disaster risk management to the next level,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno, of Akwa Ibom, who flagged-off the early warning measures in the state, promised to sustain the good working relationship with NEMA,  already started by the previous administration of the state.

    “Previous administration have established good working relationship with NEMA; we will continue to build on that to prevent any future flood disaster in our state,” Eno said.

    In his remarks, Prof. Mansur Matazu, Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) said early warnings must be matched by early action to avoid disasters and losses.

    Matazu called on states to promote inter-agency collaborations for actualising early action for disasters risk preparedness and reduction.

    He pledged that the NiMET would continue to invest in the production of early warnings that were timely, reliable and actionable.

  • Nigerians to pay N500,000 fine for indiscriminate waste disposal

    Nigerians to pay N500,000 fine for indiscriminate waste disposal

    The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has charged its officers spread across the country to enforce the Public Health Law of the federation and go hard on anyone caught engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports EHCON charged the environmental health officers to enforce the Public Health Law in every local government area, saying the measure is to curb flooding across the country.

    Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar of the council, gave the charge on Thursday, during a news conference in Abuja, following the alert by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), that no fewer than 178 LGAs were within the high probable flood risk areas.

    Baba said enforcement of the law, through the provision of necessary sanctions and fines, would make the people and communities take responsibility for their actions and inactions. The registrar disclosed the minimum sanctions for violators of the law as payment of a N500,000 fine or six years imprisonment.

    He listed some of the environmental health offences as indiscriminate waste disposal, dumping of refuse in drainage, among others. According to him, the measure will reduce mortality and morbidity, and also prevent collateral damage as a result of flooding in Nigeria.

    He attributed flooding and its consequences on citizens across the country to the negligence of environmental health services by local and state governments. He, however, listed blockage of the drainage systems as the top contributing factor to flooding in Nigeria.

    “This happens because people are taking waste consciously to their backyard. Responsible leaders and local governments, have invested a lot of money to construct the drainage systems, but most of the communities see such facilities as a temporary dump site.

    “I call on environmental officers working in local governments communities, to apply necessary sanctions to violators of the law, to serve as the first responsibility we are carrying out as a council. In response to the flooding alert, the council has activated its emergency management response system to mitigate the challenge,” Baba said.

    The registrar said the essence of the news conference was to let the populace aware that as citizens  “they have the responsibility to adapt to the new policy of waste management in the country”.

  • True figures of 2022 flood victims revealed as NIHSA braces for 2023 rains

    True figures of 2022 flood victims revealed as NIHSA braces for 2023 rains

    As the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) commenced the rehabilitation and maintenance of its manual gauging stations spread on the major rivers and their tributaries in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed the true figure of 2022 flood victims.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NIHSA commenced the rehabilitation and maintenance of its manual gauging stations, following the devastating 2022 flood disaster.

    The activity is targeted to reposition the hydrological monitoring stations, the majority of which were affected by the flood, and to restore them to the functional status before the onset of rain in the new year.

    “This will ensure continuous river flow measurement with a view to having reliable data and information from strategic stations at different points/locations for river flow and flood forecasting, including flood early warning and the overall management of the nation’s water resources,” a statement by NIHSA reads.

    TNG gathers that the field exercise is jointly being undertaken by the staff from the Agency’s Headquarters and the Zonal Offlices.

    The host communities where the hydrological stations were sited were also sensitized on the significance of the stations and the need for security and sustenance of the stations.

    Some of the stations that have been rehabilitated/maintained are: Kiri and Dandinkowa (on River Gongola), WuroBoki and Numan (on River Benue) and Gassol (on River Taraba).

    2m displaced by 2022 flood disaster – NEMA

    Meanwhile, Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, of NEMA disclosed on Monday that 2,430,445 people were displaced by the 2022 flood disaster that ravaged different parts of the country.

    Mr Ahmed said this at the opening of a one-week strategic executive course for Nigeria Emergency Management Stakeholders on Monday in Abuja.

    The course had as participants, heads of state emergency management agencies, heads of NEMA’s zonal, territorial and operational offices, among other partner agencies.

    Ahmed said that the capacity building training was expedient at a time when the country was recovering from the impacts created by the 2022 flood disaster.

    He added that the training which would afford the participants to share their experiences, would also provide an opportunity for them to develop holistic approaches to disaster and crises management in the country.

    “This event is taking place in the immediate aftermath of the devastating 2022 flood disaster which is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

    “Records indicate that 662 persons have lost their lives, 3,174 others have suffered injury and 2, 430, 445 individuals have been displaced by the floods.

    “Thousands of houses, hectares of farmlands and several critical national assets were destroyed by the raging floods.

    “NEMA in collaboration with state governments and other partners are currently working assiduously towards the long-term recovery of impacted communities across the nation,” he said.

    The director-general also called on the participants to cascade the new ideas learnt to their various states and local emergency management committees to prepare early against future flood disasters.

    Mr Musa Zakari, the Director, Human Resource Management, NEMA, said that the training was apt as it would assist in re-examining new and efficient approach to disaster management.

    “Rapid changes in climate has resulted in the increase in the frequency of natural disasters across the nation.

    “Hence the objective of this seminar is to assist the agency and its critical stakeholders in providing unique international brand of disaster management education, training and simulation that can augment existing senior Officers training provision within the country,” he said.

    Alhaji Abbas Idriss, the Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who spoke on behalf of the participants, appreciated NEMA for organising the training.

    He added that the training would build their capacity and strengthen their knowledge as they respond to disasters in the country.

    The training had experts from the Bournemouth University Disaster Management Centre, UK, as resource persons.

  • INVESTIGATION: How State Govs. failed to heed weather advisories, avert flooding

    INVESTIGATION: How State Govs. failed to heed weather advisories, avert flooding

    Widespread flooding caused by water overflowing from local rivers, unusual rainfalls and the release of excess water from Lagdo dam in neighbouring Cameroon’s northern region, has killed 500 persons, and displaced 1.4 million Nigerians in 31 affected states, according to government sources.

    Non-implementation of environmental guidelines, inadequate infrastructure and mismanagement of special intervention funds have resulted in annual flooding. Still, authorities say the magnitude of devastation caused by this year’s flood is the worst the country has experienced.

    Head of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency Mustapha Habib Ahmed has advised all the governments of the frontline states to move away communities at risk of flood, identify safe higher grounds for evacuation of persons and prepare adequate stockpiles of food and non-food items.

    Satellite imagery from Landsat 9 showed significant swelling of the Niger and Benue rivers in southern Nigeria, where, according to the U.S. space agency NASA, floodwaters “inundated numerous communities.”

    So far, over 70,566 hectares of farmland and 45,249 homes have been affected, the permanent secretary in Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Nasir Sani-Gwarzo has said.

    Weather Advisories and Poor Preparations

    In February, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) presented its 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), stating that the total amount of rainfall for this year is expected to be normal in most parts of the country, adding that dry spells of varying degrees ranging from mild to severe would be experienced across various parts of the country.

    According to the report, rainfall onset dates are predicted to be about the same as long-term average dates in most parts of the country. “Cessation of rainfall is anticipated to begin in the north, from early-October to mid-November, in the central states, and finally ceasing around mid-December in the southernmost and coastal parts of the country,” NiMet said in the report.

    Over 70,566 hectares of farmland and 45,249 homes have been affected by flooding.

    However, in August, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed that the agency had identified 233 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expected to experience flooding in 2022.

    Director-General of the Agency Mustapha Ahmed, said at the time that advisory letters and maps showing predicted flood risk areas in various states had been sent to the respective state governments, and urged state and local emergency management stakeholders to act proactively.

    However, state governments reportedly disregarded the warnings and weather advisories issued by various Federal Government agencies on the impending devastating floods of 2022.

    Head of the Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA) Clement Nze, during an interview with ChannelsTV that the weather predictions were out early enough to set the tone for what to expect in the course of the year and warnings issued to each state government in Nigeria and relevant ministries like agriculture, environment and aviation, informing them of the specific risk areas and the necessary measures they ought to take.

    “If our predictions were heeded by relevant sub-nationals, we would not have been where we are today,” Eze said.

    Interventions Towards Mitigating Devastating Floods

    Under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Ecological Fund was established in 1981 through the Federation Account Act of 1981 with the primary objective of establishing a pool of fund that would be solely devoted to funding ecological projects to mitigate serious ecological problems.

    The Fund constitutes 1% of the Federation Account and it is known as Derivation and Ecology Fund and as of June, a total of 266 out of 332 ecological projects approved within the last seven years, had reportedly been implemented across the country, while the remaining 66 are at different stages of completion.

    States and Local Governments receive their share of the Derivation and Ecology Fund as part of their monthly allocation at the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) monthly meetings, but the disbursement and utilization of this fund has come under scrutiny in recent times.

    As floods sweep through communities, Nigerians have continuously called on the Federal Government for assistance, but the Presidency has said State Governments should be held accountable.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, said the ongoing flooding was not a national-level emergency and while the administration would not fail to intervene in moves to alleviate the flooding burden, states should explain how they have been deploying their share of the fund

    “We call on governors of those states that have swung into action and engaged the necessary gear to continue with their efforts, and those that have not, to immediately face their duties of managing the flooding within their jurisdictions.

    “Each of the three tiers, the local government, the state government and the Federal Government has a sizeable budget at its disposal, allocated monthly precisely for dealing with these state-level natural emergencies. It is not clear why some of the state governments in question are not already drawing upon those funds to tackle the current emergency,” Shehu said.

    The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into remittances to the Ecological Fund and withdrawals from the account between 2010 and 2022, alleging mismanagement of funds by the beneficiaries.

    The House Committee on Ecological Fund is also mandated to investigate the utilisation of the Ecological Fund by benefiting government’s departments and agencies (MDAs) within the same period and establish infractions.

    Meanwhile, the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry has begun to distribute 12,000 metric tons of food and non-food items to states devastated by the flooding.

  • Be ready for more heavy rainfall, NiMet cautions Nigerians

    Be ready for more heavy rainfall, NiMet cautions Nigerians

     

    …says flood not caused by released dams

    The NiMet DG said in the coming days, there would be high intensity rains and coupled with the dams being let open, there will be more floods.

    Benue and Kogi states are experiencing huge flooding, reminiscent of the 2012 floods.

    The latest floods has led to loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have said there is likelihood of more states experiencing floods in the coming days, especially in the North Central, South East and South Western States.

    Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, and Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, gave the indication at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Hydro-meteorological status and outlook system (HydroSOS).

    The NiMet DG said in the coming days, there would be high intensity rains and coupled with the dams being let open, there will be more floods.

    Benue and Kogi states are experiencing huge flooding, reminiscent of the 2012 floods. The latest floods has led to loss of lives and properties worth billions of naira.

    “Remember, we issued the forecast in February and we followed up with the monthly updates that we’re going to have above normal rainfall in most part of the country. So in terms of the rainfall induced floods, we’ve seen the peak but remember we told you that this rainwater gets collected into the reservoirs and dams, and whenever they are filled, it gets spilled. So, on the13th of September, the Lagbo Dam was released. And also Kainji and Shiroro dams were also were released. So what we’re witnessing now is riverine flooding” Prof. Matazu explained.

    “And from the information we’re getting from NIHSA we’re going to see more floods. And now the rain is concentrating on the North Central and the southern states. So that will be a combination of short duration, high intensity rain, which riverine flooding. So we’re going to see more of these floods in the north central states as we are seeing in Kogi and also south eastern and southwestern states as we are beginning to see in a number of parts of South West.”

    He further noted that water-associated risks are going to intensify in the coming years as the full weight of climate change begin to bear on our earth.

    “In Africa, water-related hazards such as flood, drought etc has become a major cause of food insecurity, strains on livelihoods, health risks and conflicts in many parts of the continent.”

    The DG NIHSA said the flood that has happened was primarily caused by rainfall and not the released dams.

    He also noted that coupled with the fact that some people had built on flood plains, and with the rise in water levels in the River Niger and Benue, the floods became inevitable.

  • Flooding: Delta Govt. sounds alarm, urges residents in low areas to relocate

    Flooding: Delta Govt. sounds alarm, urges residents in low areas to relocate

    Delta Government on Friday urged residents in flood-prone communities to relocate to higher planes to avert the impact of ravaging floods in parts of the state.

    The Director-General, State Bureau of Orientation, Mr Eugene Uzum, gave the charge at a news conference in Asaba.

    Uzum said that the state government was concerned about the safety of lives and property of its citizens, particularly those living in flood-prone areas given the  Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s forecast of heavy rains and flooding in the country.

    According to him, Gov.  Ifeanyi Okowa has approved the setting up of the Inter-ministerial Flood and Disaster Management Committee headed by Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah to mitigate the challenges expected by the impending ravaging flood.

    He said the committee was saddled with the responsibility of sensitising the citizens on the impending flood and opening, maintenance and management of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps throughout the state.

    “You will recall that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have been consistent in their annual flood forecast and this year’s prediction is no exception.

    “As a proactive government, the Delta Government led by Gov. Okowa has taken proactive measures to ensure that there is no loss of lives and minimal damage to property.

    “In 2012 we had flooding that was very drastic across the country of which Delta had its fair share of the challenge and since then it has become a recurring decimal.

    “The 2022 flood forecast is estimated at 3,000mm and 4,000mm and this is very huge compared to what we had in previous years.

    “It’s important to note that the Office of the SSG and the Ministry of Environment have been monitoring the flood levels along River Niger and its tributaries,” he said.

    Uzum, said that the state government was working with local government chairmen, traditional institutions and Presidents-General of communities in the state to further sensitize the people.

    He said the State Orientation Bureau in conjunction with the Ministry of Information have continued to bring up-to-date information on the impending flood to the people.

    “At the moment the water levels have moved up and government has started relocating people to ensure that no loss of lives and minimal damage to property.

    “We encourage our people who are at the low lands to move to upland while crops should be harvested to avoid total loss of agricultural products.

    “Today the floods are here and from available records, it has risen to 3,200mm and 3,400mm and expected to get to 4,000mm based on the forecast of NiMet and other agencies.

    “So what we have done is to take this information to the people because of the challenges of ignorance and cultural beliefs and we are convinced that they would relocate accordingly.

    “The setting up of IDP camps would be based on needs assessment going by the level of flood waters,” Uzum said.

  • What caused flood to submerge over 300 buildings in Taraba – NIHSA

    What caused flood to submerge over 300 buildings in Taraba – NIHSA

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has clarified on what caused flood to submerge over 300 buildings in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports no fewer than 300 buildings were submerged in a flood that ravaged several communities in Jalingo on Saturday.

    While no lives were lost, residents watched helplessly as their business centres, vehicles, worship centres and schools were submerged by the flood.

    Earlier reports had it that the flood was aggravated by the release of water from the Cameroonian Lagdo Dam built within the Cameroonian portion of River Benue.

    However, according to the NIHSA, the flash flood was caused by localized heavy downpour that occurred from the night of Friday, 9th July till around 4 am on Saturday, 10th July, 2021 in Mayo Goi area of Jalingo town.

    Report from the NIHSA Yola Office stated that poor or lack of drainage systems, buildings erected within the flood paths, etc, aggravated the flood, and not release of any water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    “It should be noted that at this period of the year, impoundment of water into the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon for hydropower generation is still in progress.

    “Under normal circumstances, it is usually around the 3rd week of September that the Lagdo Dam reservoir approaches an elevation of 213m.

    “Spillage of water can only take place once the reservoir level approaches 216m. Therefore, no release of water from Lagdo Dam ever took place.

    “For purposes of clarity, it should be noted that Jalingo in Taraba State is downstream Adamawa State.

    “Before any flood arising from the release of water from Lagdo Dam could submerge any town in Taraba State, the following towns in Adamawa State, upstream Taraba State, would have been submerged, namely:- Wuroboki, Lau, Jimeta, Ibbi, Numan, Yola, etc, all in Adamawa State,” NIHSA stated.

    TNG reports the NIHSA is the agency of the Federal Government at the upstream sector in the prediction and issuance of flood early warning alerts in Nigeria.

    The agency had earlier in the year predicted that Yorro, Gassol, Ardo-Kola, Lau, Jalingo, Wukari, all in Taraba State, fall within the Highly Probable Flood Risk LGAs in the country in 2021.

    This was contained in the Agency’s 2021 Annual Flood Outlook (2021 AFO) publication which was presented to the general public on the 6th of May, 2021, by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman H. Adamu.

    “The public presentation was followed up with letters to all the Governors of the 36 states of the Federation and the Honourable Minister of the FCTA, intimating each of them on the specific LGAs in their states that are susceptible to flooding in the course of year 2021.

    “From the recent updates on 2021 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), some parts of the country are already witnessing delayed onset of rainfall and there is a likelihood of early cessation of rainfall.

    “Under this climatic condition, there is the possibility of most parts of the country experiencing shorter period of rainy season.

    “Therefore, when the spread of rainfall is over a shorter period, there is the tendency to experience more flooding incidents in the event the rainfall within these few months is of high intensity,” the NIHSA stated.

  • EX-NIHSA DG jailed for using state fund for sallah

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has secured the conviction of a former Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Mr John Ayoade Shamonda, after being found guilty of using part of the money meant for the Federal Government project to fund sallah welfare package.
    A statement from the spokesperson for the ICPC, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said Shamonda was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court 14 sitting in Apo, Abuja, on 10 counts bordering on knowingly making false statement and virement without approval.
    The statement added that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 16; 17(1)(c) and 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
    It stated, “During the trial, the prosecution presented seven witnesses while 26 documents were admitted as exhibits. The court was also told that Shamonda, while being the DG of NIHSA, had written to the then Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, requesting N603m for the rehabilitation and replacement of damaged hydrological equipment across the country following the devastating incident of flooding in 2012.
    “Furthermore, the court was informed that the former DG in disbursing the money did not follow the ‘procurement plan’ for which the money was released. Instead, Shamonda approved that N2, 767, 500.00 be used for “Sallah welfare package” which was paid to all the members of staff of the agency. Also, he spent N25, 749, 390.60 on a national stakeholders’ workshop.”
    The ICPC said the convict also purchased two Toyota Prado jeeps and two Hiace buses totalling the sum of N49.15m from the sum.
    It added, “In his judgment, Justice Ademola found the accused guilty and convicted him on counts five, seven, eight, nine and 10 to one year imprisonment or an option of fine of N50, 000 on each count which sentences are to run concurrently, while he was discharged and acquitted on counts one, two, three, four and six.”