NOA launches awareness campaign ahead Lagdo Dam water release
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has kicked off an extensive public sensitization campaign to prepare communities at risk of flooding ahead of the planned release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
The initiative follows a warning from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which alerted the government about the impending water discharge and stressed the need for precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the NOA, has ordered the Agency’s Community Orientation Officers to begin immediate outreach efforts, targeting eleven states identified as high-risk zones. These states include Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Delta. The campaign will be conducted on a ward-to-ward basis, focusing on vulnerable local government areas most likely to be affected by potential flooding.
Issa-Onilu highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “We cannot wait for the floods to arrive before informing our people. They need timely information to take proactive measures and protect themselves, particularly given the devastation caused by past floods, notably in 2012 and two years ago.”
The campaign will provide critical safety guidance to residents of flood-prone areas. Communities along the coastline have been urged to evacuate immediately to safer zones, while the NOA has called for the establishment of emergency food banks and medical facilities to cater to displaced individuals.
In addition, the NOA will distribute essential information such as floodplain maps, safety protocols, and emergency contact details, ensuring that communities are well-prepared to respond to potential disasters.
Issa-Onilu also urged state and local governments to take NIHSA’s warnings seriously, working with technical experts to implement preventive measures that could mitigate the impact on vulnerable communities.
He emphasized that collaborative efforts will be key to minimizing damage and ensuring the safety of residents in affected areas.
