Lagdo dam opening: Edo asks residents in six riverine communities to relocate

Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for information and orientation in Edo, has asked residents living in riverine areas across six LGAs in the state to relocate to higher plains due to flooding.

In a statement on Tuesday, Nehikhare said the government has put in place measures to mitigate the possible impact of releasing the Lagdo dam floodgates.

He said the call became necessary following the federal government’s alert to states in frontline areas on taking action against the opening of the Lagdo dam caused by ceaseless rainfalls.

“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,” NAN quoted Nehikhare as saying.

“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.”

 The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had warned that 19 states and 56 communities in the country may experience heavy rainfall in August.