The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has raised an alert over the risk of potential river flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers, warning that a large volume of water is flowing through these waterways towards the Niger Delta.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the minister addressed the recent flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, and urged for increased vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate future flood disasters, particularly in southern Nigeria.
The minister explained that the recent flood disaster in the Maiduguri and Jere areas was triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam, located about 10 kilometers from Maiduguri’s city center. The overflow was a result of a massive inflow from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the River Yedzaram.
Utsev also referenced the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook published by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which identified Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Yobe, Benue, Gombe, and 25 other states as high flood risk areas.
“This flood disaster in Maiduguri and Jere was largely due to the overflow of water from the Alau Dam, caused by the heavy inflow from the Ngadda River,” he stated. “Minister of State Bello Goronyo and I, alongside agency heads, have visited Maiduguri to express solidarity with the Governor of Borno State and assess the devastation caused by the flood.”
He also drew attention to the looming risk of flooding in other parts of the country, noting that water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers have risen significantly, approaching critical levels. “The daily flow on these rivers indicates a significant increase in water levels, nearing red alert. This signifies that a large volume of water is moving through our rivers towards the delta region,” Utsev warned.
The minister emphasised the importance of continued preparedness and quick action to minimise the impact of potential floods in the southern part of the country.
He recalled the recent submission of the Presidential Committee’s report on preventing flood disasters, which outlined ten strategic interventions. These include activities to be carried out before, during, and after flooding, involving key agencies and stakeholders. As part of these recommendations, President Bola Tinubu approved ₦108 billion for all 36 states to combat recurring floods across Nigeria.
Utsev called on local governments and other stakeholders to take heed of the ministry’s early warning information and implement proactive measures to prevent future flooding. He also urged them to activate response plans to alleviate the suffering of citizens already affected by floods in several states, including Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa.
