FG delegation visits Niger State, assures humanitarian support for Mokwa flood victims

A high-powered Federal Government delegation on Saturday paid a condolence visit to Niger State following the devastating flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area, which claimed over 150 lives, destroyed homes, and displaced hundreds of residents.

The delegation, led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, was received at the Government House in Minna by Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba, who represented Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor conveyed the state government’s gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for swiftly dispatching a delegation to commiserate with the state, describing the tragedy as a deeply shocking and devastating incident.

He revealed that the state government has so far provided 6,000 bags of rice to the victims while efforts are underway to commence the construction of a stem water drainage system in Mokwa and Mashegu council areas to prevent future occurrences.

Garba also appealed to the Federal Government to establish a temporary shelter for the displaced victims, noting that their current location is unfit for habitation. He further called on corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to assist the victims, directing that all financial donations be channeled to the government-approved account: Niger State Emergency Distress, 2046096920, First Bank of Nigeria.

In his response, Malagi, on behalf of President Tinubu and members of the Federal Executive Council, expressed heartfelt condolences over what he described as “one disaster too many.” He said the President had directed the mobilization of federal resources to tackle the immediate and long-term impact of the flood.

The Minister also tasked the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with launching sensitization campaigns to discourage citizens from settling along waterways and flood-prone areas, stressing the government’s commitment to averting future disasters.

Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, lamented the scale of the tragedy and assured the state that the federal government, in collaboration with international partners, would extend comprehensive humanitarian assistance to the affected communities.

Available data from emergency officials indicates that as of Saturday, 151 bodies have been recovered and buried, with seven injured victims receiving medical care. A total of 503 households were affected, 265 houses destroyed, and two major roads and three bridges washed away across three communities in Mokwa.

The delegation commended the prompt intervention of the Niger State Government, local authorities, emergency services, and volunteers in the search and rescue operations and pledged the federal government’s continued support to the victims and their families.