The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised communities in Niger and Kwara states living on downstream of Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba dams to stay away from river banks.
Alhaji Aliyu Kafindangi, NEMA Operational Head in charge of Niger and Kwara, gave the advice in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.
He said that the warning became necessary because of consistent rise in the water levels on the Niger and Benue rivers which he said could cause more spillage of water from the dams.
Kafindangi said the warning followed the recent flood alert by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicating that all indices before the release of water from Lagdo Dam that caused the 2012 flood in Kogi and other states of the federation had manifested.
‘‘This time it is in a higher magnitude.
“NIHSA has warned that some parts of the country, including some states in the North would continue to experience down pour.
“Niger and Kwara are among the 12 states identified by NIHSA to experience flood based on their projections and these two states are within our jurisdiction,” he said.
The head of operation mentioned the communities to include: Gurmana, Galadima Logo, Beri, Bida, Elogi, Mokwa, Borgu and New Bussa in Niger State.
He said communities such as Patigi, and Lafiagi in Kwara State would possibly be affected as well as other communities downstream of Jebba and Kainji dams.
Kafindangi also advised the communities to restrict children and other members from swimming and fishing on the rivers.
He also said that the agency would meet on Wednesday with stakeholders in disaster management to proffer ways to reduce effects of flood disasters.
Kafindangi, however, appealed to residents of both states to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage and water ways to avert flooding.
By Rita Iliya
