Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has issued a warning about the potential for river flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers, citing the large volumes of water flowing towards the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the minister highlighted the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State, as a result of the overflow of water from the Alau Dam, caused by the massive inflow from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the River Yedzaram.
Utsev pointed to the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook published by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which identifies several high-risk flood areas across the country, including Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Yobe, Benue, and Gombe among the 31 states at risk.
“The flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to the overflow of water from the Alau Dam, caused by the massive inflow from the Ngadda River,” Utsev explained. He added that he and the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, had visited Maiduguri to assess the devastation and show solidarity with the state’s government.
As water levels on the Niger and Benue rivers continue to rise, nearing red alert levels, the minister stressed the importance of vigilance and preparedness to mitigate the impact of potential flooding, particularly in southern Nigeria.
Utsev also referred to the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Development of a Strategic Plan for Preventing Flood Disasters, which outlined 10 strategic areas to address flooding across the nation. As part of these efforts, the federal government has approved ₦108 billion for all 36 states to tackle perennial flooding.
In his concluding remarks, the minister urged state governments and stakeholders to take proactive measures, heed early flood warnings, and activate response strategies to prevent future disasters and alleviate the suffering of those affected by floods.