Environment
‘Dams In Nigeria In Good Condition’
In spite of the intensity of
the rains, dams in Nigeria are still in good condition, a director in the Ministry of Water Resources has said.
The Director Dams and Irrigation, Dr Emmanuel Adanu, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Adanu added that the dams were being strictly monitored to prevent flood and that none of the dams was stressed or experiencing excessive inflow.
According to him, the monitoring mechanisms specifically check the inflow, discharge and the rise of water in the dams.
He, however, said that based on the prediction of heavy rains by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), if the pattern of rainfall changed significantly, might be a recurrence of 2012 flooding.
“ We still keep monitoring our dams because excessive inflow can cause some problems, so we are monitoring the dams.
“The only dam giving us some problem we are handling now and it is not because of the falls now it is because of some erosion.
“But based on the prediction and the experience we are having from the rainfall, now we have not seen any dam that is highly distressed.
“This prediction came sometime ago and we have been very much aware of it and we are monitoring the rainfall; even, we have the flood outlook, what it might look like based on the prediction.
“So we are very careful and monitoring strictly the rainfall pattern, the rainfall intensity, the water rise in the dams, water flow and the discharges.
“If we have the same kind of rainfall we had last year, with the character, the altitude, and everything, it can still happen.
“But fortunately, we are monitoring that system — the Benue system — and at this time last year, the discharge we had actually was more than what we have now.
“So we are a bit safe to some extent but if the rainfall pattern changes and we have similar rainfall, we may still have some problem from there; so we are preparing ourselves.’’
On flooding, Adanu cited a recent report from Adamawa indicating that some areas at the confluence of River Gongola and River Benue were being flooded.
The director added that this flood was from within Nigeria and not from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
He blamed the situation on the heavy rainfall recorded in the Plateau recently.
“ I heard a report from Adamawa that certain areas at the confluence of River Gongola are being flooded; fortunately this is not from Lagdo in Cameroon, this is from within Nigeria.
“And our interpretation is that there has been a lot of heavy rainfall in the Plateau around Jos; a lot of rainfall and these rivers originate from there — River Kaduna, River Gongola and River Jamare — all originate from there; so they take water from this origin.
“Normally at the confluence when a tributary meets the main river at that confluence there is always a build up of water.
“Because the water coming from the tributary meets the water in the mainstream and it builds up immediately.
“Because the mainstream may not take the whole flow immediately at the same rate so there is always a build up backwards towards the tributaries and that’s what is happening.’’
He gave an assurance that the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Buffer Dam would be 100 per cent completed by 2014.
He explained that the installation of the hydropower component of the dam was the major delay at the moment.
He added that the dam would be closed during the dry season next year because it was safer at that season to close a dam.
“ We thought we could finish it this year but for the hydropower component we are installing; the dam itself is almost finished except for the hydro power.
“By next year surely but there are certain aspects that are 100 per cent complete some 70, 80 so effectively it is the hydro power component that is delaying us.
“As soon as we finish that, we close and because of the flooding we experienced last year, it won’t be technically advisable for us to close when the flood is very high.
“ Because you are subjecting a new structure to a high flood, normally you close when the discharge is small so that the structure gets used to the increasing pressure gradually.’’
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
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