News
Lagdo dam release: Communities flooded in Edo
Not less than 25 communities along the banks of the river Niger have been flooded in Edo state after the Lagdo dam in Cameroon was released.
According to reports, on Monday, communities in Etsako East, Etsako Central, and Esan South East of Edo state were affected.
The Esan South East Local Government’s Desk Officer on Relief Materials and Distribution, Mr. Christopher Ojimah, attested to the villages’ submersion.
Mr. Ojimah is the Emergency Committee’s Local Government Secretary.
According to Ojimah, the internally displaced people have already taken up residence at the local government’s internally displaced camp.
He stated that certain communities, particularly Ifeku, have been totally submerged.
The secretary disclosed that their cattle and belongings have been washed away.
He said: “The release of water from the Lagdo Dam has caused flooding in these three local government areas, with their houses submerged and residents having to abandon their houses.
“There are some communities, especially, Ifeku, is completely submerged, and their properties have livestock swept away.
“The IDP camp in Esan South East is already filled with residents”, he stated.
According to Mr. John Odaku, a local in the impacted area, their farmlands were flooded.
Mr. Odaku said that they were not rescuing their cattle or crops.
He said: “Our crops, such as yam, cassava, and groundnut, among others, have been submerged by flood while farm produce already harvested were swept away.
“We could not take our belongings due to the rising level of the flood, which is more than that what we experienced last year.
“We couldn’t salvage our crops and farm produce and livestock as they were swept away by the ravaging flood”.
Noting that the local government has been carrying the burden alone, he urged the federal government to assist them.
According to reports, the National Emergency Management Agency has ordered the population to go to IDP camps in order to prevent casualties.
Speaking on the incident, Mr. Dahiru Yusuf, the NEMA Head of the Benin operation office, stated that the organization has been keeping an eye on the flood situation in coordination with state and local authorities as well as other interested parties.
He said: “Three local governments of Esan South East, Etsako East and Etsako Central are affected and some communities are displaced already.
“We have visited all the flood-prone local governments to assess their level of preparedness.
“Most of the IDP camps in the various local governments are ready for use”, he added.
Here are some key facts about Edo state
Geography
- Capital: Benin City
- Location: South-south Nigeria
- Area: 17,802 km²
- Population: Approximately 4 million people
- Bordering states: Delta, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, and Rivers
History and Culture
- Ancient Benin Empire (13th-19th centuries)
- Edo people: Predominantly ethnic Binis, with other groups like Esan, Etsako, and Ora
- Language: Edo (Bini), English
- Cultural festivals: Edo Festival of Arts and Culture, Benin Festival of Lights
- Traditional crafts: Wood carving, bronze casting, textiles
Economy
- Agriculture: Oil palm, cassava, yams, cocoa
- Mining: Limestone, marble, granite
- Industry: Manufacturing (textiles, food processing), construction
- Tourism: Benin City National Museum, Oba Palace, Ososo Tourist Centre
Infrastructure
- Airport: Benin Airport
- Roads: Benin-Lagos Highway, Benin-Asaba Highway
- Education: University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Edo State University
- Healthcare: University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Central Hospital Benin
Points of Interest
- Benin City National Museum
- Oba Palace (Benin Palace)
- Ososo Tourist Centre
- Benin Moat
- Ogba Zoo and Nature Park
Local Government Areas
- Benin
- Egor
- Esan North-East
- Esan South-East
- Etsako Central
- Etsako East
- Etsako West
- Igueben
- Ikpoba-Okha
- Oredo
- Orhionmwon
- Ovia North-East
- Ovia South-West
- Owan East
- Owan West
- Uhunmwonde
Notable Figures from the state
- Oba Ewuare II (Oba of Benin)
- Adams Oshiomhole (former Governor)
- Godwin Obaseki (current Governor)
- Festus Keyamo (Minister of State for Labour)
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