Cameroon's decision to halt the release of water from Ladgo Dam brings relief to Nigerians
The water discharge from the dam resulted in catastrophic floods that led to the loss of numerous lives and extensive property damage in Nigeria last year.
Concerns regarding the recurrence of the destructive floods that wreaked havoc in numerous regions of the nation last year have been eased, following the decision by the Lagdo Dam authorities in Cameroon to cease the water release from the facility.
Since Monday, August 14, 2023, the water discharge from the dam had instilled apprehension of extensive flooding across 11 Nigerian states. However, during a press conference on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, the Federal Government announced that the dam management had terminated the water release.
Clement Nze, the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, elucidated that the month of June marks the inception of a fresh hydrological year within the River Niger Basin, encompassing nine other nations.
As per Eze's explanation, Nigeria lies downstream of all the nations within this basin, which encompass Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, and Niger.
He remarked, "The months of July, August, September, and October in each year mark periods of substantial rainfall, flooding, and flood-related disasters in the majority of the country's regions. The Lagdo Dam is situated on the Benue River within the Niger Basin."
"The Cameroonian authorities initiated the water release from the Lagdo Dam at 10:10 a.m. on August 14, 2023. The Cameroonian hydrologist in charge of the dam conveyed this information to the DG of NIHSA on August 23, 2023."
"However, as of 5:46 p.m. yesterday, August 28, 2023, the hydrologist responsible for the dam informed the Director-General of NIHSA that they ceased the water discharge by 11:00 a.m. on the same day."
Eze further elaborated that since the dam's management terminated the water release at 5:46 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, there has been a consistent flow in the River Benue system.
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