Construction of dams, reservoirs will check flood, says Minister

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has disclosed that the construction of more dams and reservoirs will help to check the mitigating effects of floods in the country.

Last year, over 20 states were devastated by severe flooding that destroyed lives and properties, which left many persons displaced from their homes.

Ochekpe made the disclosure in Abuja at the award ceremony of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria organised to honour professional female engineers.

The minister revealed that over 2million people were displaced by the 2012 flooding that affected some states in the country.

She noted that the 2012 flooding were caused by the torrential rainfall, overflowing of River Niger as well as the release of water from Lagdo Dam.

“The causes of the flooding have been narrowed down to three things: the torrential rain within a short period, overflowing of River Niger necessitating the release of water from Kainji and Shiroro Dams, excess water within the Benue Basin with a very few dams, as well as the release of water from Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon.

“As at November 5, 2012, over 363 people died as a result of the flooding with over 2million displaced.”

Ochekpe added that her ministry is putting all the necessary measures in place to check the devastating effects of flood that is likely to happen later in the year.

“We have taken several measures towards creating more room within our reservoirs to contain the flood waters being expected, fast track the completion of ongoing dams as well as stepped up creation of awareness among communities living along river banks and downstream of our reservoirs.

“There is need for us to also develop effective flood early warning systems, prompt response strategy as well as prevention of habitation on flood plains and relocation of people living in such places; this will effectively reduce the number of people affected during floods,” she stated.