After the floods, from Red Cross to heads of state, a general call for more dams, November 12th

He also hinted of the plan to import seedlings for farmers who have been affected by the floods and said: “So, what government can do is to make sure that we build more dams in the Benue system. At present, we are building the Kasambila Dam that will be completed in 2014 and even that one , my commitment is to fast track it to make sure we discuss with the contractor, even if we will pay more money.

“By the time we build two or three more dams in the Benue section and the Niger river , we may still get more water coming in, but it will not be to this level because the dams hold the water and release it gradually.”

The Red Cross takes stand for dams

The Nigeria Red Cross Society strikes the same point.  Its Lagos State chapter called on the Federal Government to construct more dams in order to check the rising spate of flood disasters in the country. Mrs Ijeoma Nweke, the Branch Secretary to the society, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that “the recent floods that were overwhelming some parts of the country and destroying lives and properties worth billions of naira could be averted if the right infrastructure was put in place”

The floods have left 148 people dead and affected 21 of the nation's three dozens states, according to the Red Cross.

“Torrential downpours in recent weeks have caused widespread destruction and forced many families into makeshift camps,” the aid agency said "An estimated 134,000 people have now been affected by the floods and concern is growing about the spread of waterborne diseases."

Mrs Ijeoma Nweke noted that the tragedy could be averted if the right infrastructure was put in place.

Africa is not the only place where dams are wished to  In the Northeastern State of Arunachal Pradesh, Governor JJ Singh is advocating the building of dams to solve the perennial problem of floods. After meeting with his Meghalaya counterpart RS Mooshahary, he declared to the press :

“We should look for a long term solution to the problem of floods in the region. I am of the opinion to regulate and control floods by measures of construction of dams.”

Anti dam activists in the region especially Assam have been opposing the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power (LSHP) project in Arunachal Pradesh.

“Certain anti-dam NGOs made certain statements against construction of dams. They should explain today whether opposing construction of dams would help in some cases or would it not help if water is controlled and regulated when such heavy rains take place,” the Arunachal Pradesh Governor asked. An excellent request indeed !

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