Lokoja — National inland waterways Authority, Lokoja Area Office, has given an indication that River Niger is drying up, going by the Horological Data made available to THISDAY.

The Authority said the river has consistently been drying since 1969, when it recorded an all-time height between 11 and 12 months.

Since then ,the water level has nose-dived, fluctuating between seven and eight meters.

It said the water level has gone abnormally low in this dry season.

In the second to third previous dry seasons, the water level was not as what it is in this year.

According to an expert, the river has its source at River Futa Jallon in the Republic of Guinea and flows through Sokoto State to Niger and to Kogi states, where it meets with River Benue to form a confluence, before emptying into the ocean through River Forcados and River Nom.

THISDAY checks showed that sandbanks have become a common sight on the waterways ritght through Sokoto, Niger and Kogi states, where the state waterworks have been finding it difficult to lift river water due to its abnormally low level.

Officials of the Federal Inland Waterways Authority who craved for anonymity confirmed that the river has been threatened by the barrage of dams on its tributaries and distributory channels coupled with the dry season.

He suggested the dredging of River Niger and its regular maintanance as the only way to save the river from drying up.

Speaking with newsmen on the issue, the state commissi0ner for Water Resources, Mr James Olumorin said government was worried on the state of the river.

Dr Abiye Sekibo, had earlier assured that the Federal Government will commence the dregging of the river this year.