The Federal Government clarified that the recent flood in Maiduguri was caused by the overflow of the Ngadda River, not the collapse of the Alau Dam. Minister Joseph Utsev warned of potential flooding in the Niger Delta and urged for proactive measures to mitigate future disasters.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified the cause of the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri, emphasizing that no dam broke as previously speculated. Engineer Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, explained during a briefing in Abuja that the flooding was primarily due to the overflow of the Ngadda River, rather than a collapse of the Alau Dam.
Contrary to initial reports, Utsev confirmed that the Alau Dam, located approximately 10 kilometers from Maiduguri city center, remained intact. He stated, “We didn’t envisage that the water level this year would be of this magnitude.” The excessive rainfall, exacerbated by climate change, led to a significant overflow from the dam, overwhelming its dykes.
The minister indicated that the recent flooding primarily impacted the Maiduguri and Jere areas, attributing it to the massive inflow from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the Yedzaram River. This situation has raised alarms about potential flooding in the Niger Delta region and other southern states.
In light of these developments, Utsev urged the government and local communities to activate emergency measures to mitigate the impacts of looming flood threats. He called for heightened vigilance, particularly regarding the increasing water levels in rivers Niger and Benue, as significant volumes of water are expected to flow towards the delta region.
As the nation mourns the losses caused by the recent floods, officials stress the importance of preparedness to prevent future disasters.
