The Federal Government has issued a warning to the Niger Delta and southern states, urging them to prepare for potential flooding as water levels continue to rise.
During a media briefing, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev, revealed that the recent severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, was caused by an overflow of the Ngadda River, not the collapse of the Alau Dam as initially suspected.
Utsev clarified that the Alau Dam, located near Maiduguri, is structurally sound. The flooding, he explained, was the result of heavy inflows from the Ngadda River, a tributary of the River Yedzaram, which caused water to breach the dam’s dyke.
Accompanied by the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Honourable Bello Goronyo, Utsev visited the flood-ravaged areas to assess the destruction and offer support to the affected communities in Borno State.
He stressed the need for a complete upgrade of the Alau Dam, warning that any substandard performance by contractors or officials would be addressed.
Looking ahead, the minister cautioned that severe flooding is expected in the Niger Delta and other southern regions, urging authorities and citizens to implement emergency measures to minimize damage.
“As we mourn the losses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and other states affected by flooding, the attention of Nigerians is hereby drawn to the probable river flooding on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries. The daily flow on these rivers indicates significant increase in flow levels tending towards RED alert.
“This warning means that a large volume of water is moving through our rivers down to the delta region. Therefore, we should increase vigilance on all ramifications and step up proactive measures to address any eventual flooding events in the southern part of the country,” Utsev warned.
The Minister also addressed the delay in the Ministry’s visit to the affected areas, explaining that it was due to prior irrigation inspections in the South West. Nevertheless, he assured the public that repairs to the Alau Dam would now be a top priority.
He said: “We didn’t actually envisage that the level of the water that comes this year it will be of this magnitude because of the climate change, the downpour was in excess, and the rivers could not actually contain the water, and more water that was unexpected was being spilled into Alau Dam, and it has spilled over the dyke.
“There was no collapse of Alau Dam. It was one of the dykes that could not hold excess water that came from the tributaries that overflowed the dam.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria and indeed the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation deeply sympathize with the government and the good people of Borno State on the flood disaster that befell us a few days ago.
“This flood disaster, directly and indirectly affected millions of Nigerians, destroying homes, property, farmlands, roads, critical infrastructure and assets, among others. I identify with you all as we progress to navigate through this difficult time.
“This flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about 10 kilometers from Maiduguri city centre owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.
“The Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Bello Mohammad Goronyo and I have visited Maiduguri with Head of Agencies and Parastatals in my Ministry to express solidarity with the Governor, Borno State and to assess the extent of devastation caused by the flood.
“As I speak now, the team of technical experts from the Ministry, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) including Chad Basin Development Authority are physically on ground to assess the situation in Alau Dam and the extent of the flood disaster and come up with useful findings and recommendations.”
In addition, the minister noted that similar assessments have been conducted in Bauchi, Sokoto, and Kebbi states, with measures being implemented.
He also warned residents to be cautious about drinking water, as it may be contaminated, to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
As part of the government’s immediate response, Utsev pledged to provide sanitation kits and water treatment facilities to the displaced residents.
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