The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has refuted claims that the recent flooding in parts of Niger State was caused by water releases from the Kainji and Jebba dams, insisting that both facilities are not responsible for the disaster.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of flood-affected communities in Mokwa Local Government Area, the Minister said the flood resulted primarily from torrential rainfall and natural overflow of rivers, not dam-induced discharges as widely speculated.
“There has been no excessive release of water from either Kainji or Jebba dams in recent weeks,” Prof. Utsev told journalists. “What we are witnessing is largely due to localised heavy rainfall and poor drainage infrastructure, not dam operations.”
The clarification follows growing public concern and accusations from local communities who linked the flooding to upstream water management. The floods have displaced hundreds of residents, submerged farmlands, and destroyed property across several villages along the River Niger.
The Minister, accompanied by officials from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), urged state and local governments to invest more in flood control systems and early warning mechanisms to prevent future disasters.
He also emphasized the need for improved coordination between federal dam operators and downstream communities to enhance public awareness and preparedness.
“Flooding is a complex environmental issue that requires joint action at all levels of government,” he said. “Blaming infrastructure without evidence only distracts from long-term solutions.”
In response to the immediate crisis, the Federal Government announced that relief materials would be distributed to affected residents, and that technical teams would be deployed to assess infrastructure needs.
Environmental experts have long warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable to seasonal flooding due to a combination of climate change, deforestation, and inadequate urban planning — challenges that demand sustained national attention.
