In order to solve the frequent floods in Nigeria brought on by the overflow of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, the House of Representatives on Tuesday requested that the federal government finish the Dasin Hausa Dan project in Adamawa.
This came after Rep. Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, adopted a resolution of urgent national importance.
In his contribution, a delegate voiced concern about the extreme floods that states around the Benue River and other impacted areas face every year.
According to him, the Lagdo Dam, which was constructed in 1982 for irrigation and electricity production, releases water during each rainy season to avoid overflow.
Chinda went on to draw attention to the Dasin Hausa Dam project in Adamawa State, which has been on hold. According to him, the project was originally agreed upon by Nigeria and Cameroon to act as a buffer for the excess water.
“Financial difficulties and bureaucratic bottlenecks have caused this important project to be delayed for years,” he stated.
Chinda claimed that significant flooding has occurred in a number of Nigerian states, including Borno, Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, and Kogi, as a result of the Lagdo Dam’s overflowing water.
Chinda bemoaned, “This flooding has caused numerous fatalities, community displacement, and the destruction of farmlands, livestock, and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and schools.”
He claimed that many villages are still unprepared, making them susceptible to the deadly effects of the floods, even in spite of early warnings from Nigerian officials.
The Nigerian-Cameroon Friendship Group was given a two-week deadline to submit suggestions for legislative action after the House adopted the motion, which required the group to look at the bilateral agreement on the Lagdo Dam and the mitigation measures in place.
Additionally, the House directed the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Works to move quickly to build the dam and repair vital infrastructure in areas that are vulnerable to flooding.
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