Flooding: Edo Govt urges lowland residents to relocate to higher ground

Edo Government says it has taken proactive measures to mitigate the potential impact of the opening of the Lagdo Dam floodgates.

The state government also says it has reinforced its Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps ahead of the anticipated flooding.

The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare, who gave the assurance, however advised residents in lowlands and riverine areas in the state to relocate to higher planes.

The call followed Federal Government’s recent advice that state governments in frontline areas should take necessary measures toward mitigating the potential impact of the Lagdo Dam floodgates opening.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, gave the advice while issuing flood warning alert during a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Coordination and Implementation, in Abuja.

A statement by Nehikhare on Tuesday in Benin, listed the communities alerted by Edo Government to include Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA), Anegbete in Etsako Central LGA and Illushi in Esan South East LGA.

Also alerted are riverine areas in Ikpoba Okha LGA, Ovia North-East LGA and Ovia South-West LGA.

Nehikhare said: “Edo State Government has been informed that the authorities of Lagdo Dam of the Republic of Cameroon would be releasing modulated amounts of water into River Benue due to flooding caused by incessant torrential downpour.

“Residents in lowlands and riverine areas including those in Agenebode, Anegbete and Ilullshi of Etsako East, Etsako Central and Esan South East local government areas, respectively, are hereby put on notice to be vigilant and relocate to a higher plain.

“Areas in Ikpoba Okha, Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West are also put on alert.

“ Edo State Government will provide support to those displaced from their homes by the rising water level occasioned by the overflow of the River Benue.

“Because we know this is going to happen, we had to move quickly to ensure that our internally-displaced persons camps are in good state and the residents adequately briefed and sensitised.”