River Benue is experiencing increased sediment and silt accumulation, significantly reducing its water-carrying capacity and narrowing its channel.
The Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority said in a statement, that the development is affecting downstream water supply, particularly at the Lake Geriyo Irrigation Project, where reduced flow is limiting irrigation activities.
Field observations on March 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., recorded a water level of 1.43 metres and a discharge of 64 cubic metres per second, the lowest dry-season flow on record.
Experts warned that at such low discharge, the effects of siltation become more severe, including reduced flow depth, restricted intake access, increased hydraulic losses, and greater vulnerability of irrigation supply.
The authority cautioned that without timely intervention, continued sediment build-up could further reduce channel efficiency and threaten dry-season water availability.
To address the challenge, selective dredging has begun under the direct supervision of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed.
According to the authority, the dredging focuses on major sediment deposition zones to restore hydraulic connectivity, improve water conveyance and protect irrigation supply without causing channel instability.
Officials described the intervention as proactive and data-driven, designed to align engineering action with real-time hydrological conditions rather than serving as a reactive measure.
Yusuf/Abubakar
