Mokwa Flood Disaster: Senate Urges FG to Investigate, Proffer Long-term Solutions

•As Niger govt flags-off distribution of palliatives, compensation to victims

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna

Trailing the devastating floods that struck Mokwa in Niger State, the Senate has called on the federal government to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident, as well as similar occurrences across the country, with the aim of developing sustainable solutions to mitigate future disasters.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Peter Jiya, who represents Mokwa Senatorial District, and co-sponsored by 21 other lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government on Tuesday flagged-off the distribution of palliatives and compensations to victims of the Mokwa flood disaster which occurred almost one month ago.

Flagging-off the distribution, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, gave the head of each 458 households N1m in addition to 10 bags of rice, and 5 bags each of maize, sorghum and millet.

In addition, the government also released N1m to each of the next of kins of the 209 corpses buried and N500,000 to each of the 208 house owners and 31 shop owners.

Senator Peter Jiya who sponsored a motion for federal government’s comprehensive investigation of the flood disclosed that the disaster which occurred on May 29 and 30, claimed over 700 lives and destroyed property estimated at over N10 billion, affecting both public and private assets.

He emphasized the urgent need for the government to invest in long-term flood control measures, including the establishment of effective early warning systems and resilient infrastructure to manage and contain future flooding.

the senate, in its resolution, also urged the federal government to undertake the dredging of major rivers to ensure free flow of water, and to relocate residents currently living in flood-prone areas, including along active and dormant river paths, erosion zones, and water channels.

He said: “In the early days of this administration in 2023, my office formally alerted the Ecological Fund Office on the need for urgent intervention in the inactive riverways around Mokwa and Kutigi towns – areas historically vulnerable to flooding.

“Despite these warnings, and NIMET’s forecasts of heavy rainfall, the necessary response has yet to materialize,” Senator Jiya noted.

The Senate further appealed for intensified efforts in the provision of relief materials.

The red chamber noted that food supplies, medical aid, potable water, temporary shelters, and other assistance delivered during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit have since been exhausted, given the scale of devastation.

Additionally, the upper chamber mandated its Joint Committee on Works, Housing, and Urban Development to undertake a field visit to the affected communities for on-the-spot assessment and to monitor the delivery and implementation of relief interventions.

The session concluded with a minute’s silence in honour of the victims who lost their lives in the disaster.

On his part, Governor Bago of Niger State said the release of the palliatives and compensations to the victims “is the first step in the rebuilding and recovery efforts of the government” assuring the victims of the government solidarity in the journey to restore their hopes and revive their economic and social lives.

“This unfortunate disaster has shattered many hopes and aspirations as the past few days have been daunting and bleak,” Bago declared before adding that the Mokwa flood disaster “is in a magnitude never experienced in recent memory; it is a catastrophe.”

Governor Bago charged the people to be resolute with the assurance of better prospects.

He said disasters and disappointments should spur the people to break the limited barriers of life adding that” we should rise above this set back and aim for our future.”

Bago further assured the victims that “ we are with you through thick and thin”.