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Urgent Flooding Alert: FG Warns of Impending Disasters Along Niger and Benue Rivers
Urgent Flooding Alert: FG Warns of Impending Disasters Along Niger and Benue Rivers....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
As Nigeria battles the aftermath of severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, and other regions, the Federal Government has raised a red alert about potential flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this during a press briefing in Abuja, stressing the need for southern states to prepare for potential disasters.
Rising Waters Pose Threat
Utsev highlighted that a large volume of water is flowing through the Niger and Benue rivers toward the Niger Delta region. He urged communities in southern Nigeria to remain vigilant and adopt proactive measures to mitigate the potential impacts.
The flood disaster in Maiduguri, he explained, stemmed from the overflow of water from Alau Dam, located about 10 kilometers from Maiduguri city center. The Ngadda River, a major tributary of River Yedzaram, caused the overflow, severely impacting Maiduguri and the Jere area.
31 States Identified as High-Risk Flood Zones
According to the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, 31 states are considered high-risk zones, including Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Yobe, Benue, and Gombe. The Federal Government has urged local authorities to brace for potential disasters as river levels continue to rise.
Minister Utsev, alongside Minister of State Bello Goronyo, visited Maiduguri to assess the devastation and expressed solidarity with Borno State’s leadership. Technical experts from various federal agencies are on the ground to evaluate the situation at Alau Dam and make necessary recommendations.
Flood Contaminates Water Sources
The Federal Government also warned citizens about the risk of waterborne diseases due to the contamination of water sources following the flooding. The minister emphasized the need to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases as the nation recovers from the disaster.
Climate Change and Heavy Rainfall Blamed
Attributing the flooding to climate change and prolonged heavy rainfall, the Federal Government dispelled rumors that Alau Dam had collapsed. Despite earlier reports, the dam remained intact. However, the flood risk warning, issued earlier this year, correctly predicted Borno as one of the high-risk states.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that over 30 lives have been lost, and more than 400 people have been displaced since the flooding began on Tuesday. Earlier confusion over the cause of the flood, initially attributed to the collapse of the Alau Dam, has since been clarified.
Alau Dam Upgrade Announced
To prevent future disasters, the Federal Government announced plans to upgrade the Alau Dam. Prof. Utsev stressed the importance of a thorough overhaul of the dam’s infrastructure and warned that any delays or substandard work from contractors would face strict sanctions.
Police Recover Bodies
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies across different parts of the state. Joint efforts by law enforcement and emergency responders have been key in addressing the disaster.
Call for Immediate Action
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged the government to deploy emergency management agencies to manage the crisis and prevent further devastation. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has also stepped up its monitoring efforts, warning facilities to comply with environmental regulations or face sanctions.
Preventative Measures Underway
The Federal Government has taken steps to prevent future flooding, such as initiating a six-month dredging project of the Ogun River. The dredging will widen and increase the river’s depth, ensuring it can accommodate more water and reduce flooding risks.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, says the state has mapped out 22,435 hectares of degraded land for restoration under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project using modern geospatial mapping technology.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience, tackle environmental degradation, and promote sustainable land use in the state.
Speaking at the ACReSAL mid-term review meeting in Kaduna through the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, the governor explained that the use of geospatial tools has made it possible to accurately identify affected areas for targeted intervention.
He added that the project is not only focused on land recovery but also on boosting agricultural output and improving livelihoods in affected communities.
Sani also noted that the state is supporting the programme with empowerment initiatives, including training over 500 women, youths, and school feeding vendors in biomass briquette production.
According to him, the effort is already helping to reduce dependence on firewood while creating alternative sources of income for beneficiaries.
President Tinubu has given full backing for the implementation of the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget after signing the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly into law.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He also approved an amendment extending the lifespan of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026, to ensure completion of ongoing capital projects nationwide.
Under the 2026 fiscal plan, ₦4.799 trillion is set aside for statutory transfers, ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent spending, while ₦32.2 trillion goes to capital projects—about half of the total budget.
The focus, according to the administration, is on infrastructure development, security, and growth-driven investments aimed at improving living standards.
Speaking on the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said the extension of the 2025 budget will help ensure full use of allocated funds, especially for major ongoing projects.
Tinubu directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure transparency, discipline, and value-for-money in implementing the budget, while praising the National Assembly for its swift passage of the bill.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, revenue growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described moves to prosecute former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over alleged culpable homicide as an attempt to reopen the 2018 Offa robbery tragedy for political purposes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Adewara, said the development is a disturbing and dangerous politicisation of a case they claim has already been addressed through judicial processes.
He warned against dragging the state into fresh tension, accusing the state government of attempting to revive old allegations for political advantage.
Adewara said the PDP would not remain silent while what he called “political narratives” are used to influence public perception around a tragic incident that claimed multiple lives in Offa in 2018.
He also urged residents, especially affected families, not to allow their pain to be used for political gains, insisting it is unjust to associate Saraki with the crime.
The party further alleged that the move is aimed at distracting attention from governance challenges in the state.
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