Metro

Nigerian govt places 11 states on alert as Cameroon set to release water from Lagdo Dam

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

The Nigerian government has placed 11 states on alert following an announcement by neighboring Cameroon of an imminent release of water from the Lagdo Dam.

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed, who issued the warning in a statement, said authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon would initiate controlled water releases starting from Tuesday, September 17.

The statement noted that the water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

According to the statement, the states that have been placed on the alert are all states bordering the Benue River system, namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers States.

The dam is located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin while the lake covers an area of 586.

The release of water from Lagdo Dam has long been a cause for concern for many in Nigeria as it affects many states because it serves as the entry point of River Benue.

The statement reads:

“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023.

“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.

“Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue river system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria.

“The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir.”

It added that though there should be no cause for alarm, the affected states should take measures to prevent flooding.

“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.

“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (federal, state, and LGAs) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.

“The agency will continue to diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters,” it added.

The warning is coming a week after the Alau Dam located in Maiduguri, Borno State in North-West Nigeria collapsed leading to a massive flood with devastating consequences with over 50 killed and an estimated two million others displaced.

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Metro

Zambia’s media landscape fragmented by rise of online platforms

Published

4 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Zambia’s media landscape has undergone a major transformation in recent years, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer behavior and changes in regulatory frameworks.

This shift has led to the fragmentation of traditional media, with the rise of online and social media platforms.

Over 100 online outlets have emerged, catering to diverse interests, and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have become primary news sources for many Zambians.

Specialized outlets focused on specific topics—entertainment, sports, or business—have also gained traction, increasing competition for audiences, advertising revenue and influence.

A study by Peter Brooke, a former UK Member of Parliament, highlighted the significant impact of Zambia’s decolonization in the 1960s on media freedom, sparking the creation of new media outlets and fostering freedom of expression.

The proliferation of short-wave radio and affordable transistor radios further accelerated the growth of the media industry.

The Zambian government operated several state-owned media, including the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and newspapers like Times of Zambia and Daily Mail.

Private media, such as News Diggers, The Mast, and Daily Nation, offered alternative perspectives.

Digital-only platforms, like Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog, have grown in influence, boasting millions of followers on social media.

However, media fragmentation presented challenges.

The rise of so many platforms had led to information overload, making it harder for audiences to discern credible sources.

This fragmentation also risked creating echo chambers and contributing to national polarization.

Traditional media are struggling with declining ad revenue and sustainability.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, expressed concern over the spread of misinformation on social media, which he said undermined the government’s achievements.

“It is unfortunate that social media is being used to sway citizens away from appreciating the progress made by the government,” Mweetwa said.

MISA Zambia, a media advocacy organization, had emphasized the importance of promoting media diversity and media literacy to combat misinformation and fragmentation.

In one of its publications, MISA Zambia stated, “Media fragmentation posed significant challenges to democracy… We must promote media literacy.”

There is a growing need for regular assessments of the media landscape, national media literacy programmes, guidelines for social media regulations and support for innovative media entrepreneurship to address the challenges brought by Zambia’s evolving media landscape.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt to jail private employers paying below N70,000 minimum wage

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has vowed to prosecute and possibly jail private employers who pay their workers below the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved for workers in the country.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, who stated this while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria held in Lagos on Wednesday, called on agencies recruiting for the private sector to adhere to the N70,000 minimum wage, warning that any deviation would not be tolerated.

Abubakar said the new minimum wage was necessary to address the current economic reality, emphasising that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.

“The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers,” he stated.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.

“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000.”