Nasarawa govt orders evacuation of residents of riverine communities

The Nasarawa State Government has ordered the activation of speed boats to evacuate residents living around riverine communities as part of measures to mitigate impacts of impending flood.

The directive is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Lafia by Mr Zachary Allumaga, Director-General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA).

According to reports, Cameroon had recently written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signifying the intention to open the floodgate of Lagdo Dam.

The DG said the state government in an effort to mitigate colossal impacts of the Lagdo Dam, directed the activation of five speed boats given to flood-prone local government areas for the evacuation exercise.

Allumaga enjoined communities in the fringes of River Benue to temporarily vacate their homes and relocate in the coming days as precautionary measures to avert the loss of lives and property as recorded during the 2022 flood episode.

He appealed to Chairmen of local government areas, overseers of development areas, traditional and religious leaders in affected communities to prevail on their people to move to higher grounds.

“Sequel to the directive by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the frontline states on the opening of a floodgate of the Lagdo dam, flood-prone LGAs have been directed to adhere strictly to measures put in place by the state government through NASEMA to minimize flood impacts.

“In an effort to mitigate colossal impacts of Lagdo dam, NASEMA has directed that five-speed boats provided for five flood-prone local government areas be activated for evacuation of people from riverine communities to the already identified high grounds.

“To this end, the agency is appealing to riverine communities to detach from unwarranted sentiments of the ancestral home and take necessary steps to save their lives and loved ones as well as their property,” he said.