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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has said his state is prepared to handle any eventuality arising from the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo dam.
“We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task,” Alia affirmed to State House correspondents on Thursday after he emerged from closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The governor, who said he is prepared to mitigate the risks surrounding the gradual release of water from the dam, sought to dispel concerns about the state’s readiness against possible floods, a recurring challenge in the region.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government alerted citizens to a plan by the Cameroonian authorities to release water from the Lagdo Dam.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency listed flood-prone states as Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.
The dam is located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin. The release of water from Lagdo Dam has raised concerns for Nigerians who are still reeling from reports of the devastating flood in Borno State, which killed over 100 persons and affected over a million residents.
However, Alia said his administration is focused on preventive measures rather than reactive planning.
He also highlighted ongoing talks about dredging the river Benue and exploring various options before seeking the Federal Government’s support.
The governor said, “I didn’t say we are thinking on what to do when the floods come. We are not thinking. We are prepared. We are creating awareness for all our people. That is why I said the river requires dredging.
“So before the dredging, there are a number of things on the table: exploring to see which of the best options before the Federal Government comes in to support us.
“So, for the record, we’re not just waiting. We have a statement from the emergency management agency and team. They have the capacity to take charge of all these things, and they are already armed. We pray that the flood doesn’t come, but if it does, we are definitely equal to the task.”
Alia acknowledged the persistent challenge of residents living in flood-prone areas along waterways, saying his government is appealing to such individuals while emphasising the risks associated with their choices.
He explained, “When you find such people, what do you do? You appeal to them, and if it doesn’t work by appeal when it happens to them, then risk.”
Fielding questions on the recent Supreme Court decision on local government autonomy, Alia argued he is not meddling in local elections by nominating candidates to run for local government chairmanship seats.
He defended the nomination process, describing it as transparent and inclusive, saying, “What we did was to engage in a direct process,” adding that hardworking members of the All Progressives Congress were nominated.
He argued that the process was fair, and while there might be dissatisfaction, he made efforts to give everyone a voice.
He advised those contesting in the October 5 local government elections to accept the results of the poll.
