By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE FEDERAL Government has denied reports circulating on social media alleging that Cameroonian authorities have released water from the Lagdo Dam, urging Nigerians to ignore the misinformation and rely solely on official updates.
Clarifying the situation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangwah, disclosed that the dam’s water level currently stands at a low 2.06 metres. He confirmed that no discharge has occurred.
According to the ministry, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, held direct communication with the Lagdo Dam Manager, Ahmad Bivoung, who confirmed that the dam has not released water.
The ministry also stressed that it maintains consistent dialogue with Cameroonian authorities and assured the public that any official discharge will be communicated transparently and without delay.
The ministry further urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, warning against the spread of unverified information.
“The general public is advised to remain calm and disregard the false reports. The Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and will issue official updates if and when necessary,” the statement read.
Professor Utsev called on residents living in flood-prone areas, including Lokoja in Kogi State, Wurobokki in Adamawa State, and Makurdi in Benue State, to remain alert and follow early warning advisories.
He also encouraged communities to use the NIHSA Flood Dashboard for accurate and timely updates on flood risks and safety information.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to long-term water infrastructure development and flood control, Professor Utsev outlined key ongoing initiatives.
These include coordinated operations of reservoirs along River Benue’s tributaries to avert emergency discharges, completion of the study and design of the Datsin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, and the appointment of a Transaction Adviser to advance its construction under a Public-Private Partnership model.
He added that the Kashimbila Dam in Taraba State continues to play a strategic role in flood mitigation, while upgrade works on the Wannune Dam and the design study of the Dura Dam in Benue State are underway.
The Ministry reiterated its resolve to build national resilience to flood events and strengthen water infrastructure systems across Nigeria’s river basins to mitigate the long-term impact of climate-driven water emergencies.
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