Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has instructed the Agency’s Community Orientation Officers to conduct a thorough awareness campaign in communities that may be affected by excess water release from the Lagdo Dam.
The aim is to ensure these communities are informed about the potential dangers and prepared to reduce the impact of the upcoming water release.
This directive was outlined in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Press, Paul Odenyi.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has alerted the Nigerian government that authorities in Cameroon plan to release excess water from the dam.
This notification has prompted a call for precautionary measures to mitigate potential damage and protect lives.
In light of this urgent situation, the Director General has instructed state directorates, particularly in eleven frontline states, to commence ward-to-ward campaigns in all local government areas identified as vulnerable.
The states affected by the Lagdo Dam water release include Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Delta.
Issa-Onilu emphasised the importance of proactive communication, stating;
“We will not wait for the floods to deliver the message to our people. They must have all the information needed to make informed decisions, as we have been given this alert from our neighboring country. What happened two years ago and in 2012 should serve as a lesson to us all.
“I have instructed our community officers to start ward-to-ward sensitization today in all at-risk communities. The message must be clear, providing safety measures, emergency contacts, floodplain maps, and possible impact points.
“Coastal communities should be evacuated immediately, while emergency food banks and medical facilities must be established as these communities relocate. We must also ensure that children are enrolled in safer schools without facing any disadvantage.”
The Director General stressed the importance of state and local governments quickly implementing effective flood prevention measures in vulnerable communities, following NIHSA’s warning.
He called for cooperation among stakeholders, government bodies, and experts to reduce the impact of potential floods and protect citizens’ safety. The aim is to prevent displacement and ensure that no one suffers from these floods.