By Rejoice Peterside
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate the recent flood disaster that devastated Mokwa in Niger State, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. The lawmakers also demanded immediate action toward dredging the River Niger and implementing lasting flood control infrastructure to avert future tragedies.
During plenary on Tuesday, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South) and co-sponsored by 21 other lawmakers. The motion followed the catastrophic flooding that struck Mokwa on May 29 and 30, after intense rainfall led to widespread destruction of lives and property.
According to Senator Jiya, over 700 lives were lost in the disaster, including pupils from four Islamic schools. Only about 300 bodies have been recovered so far, while many remain missing either buried beneath collapsed structures or swept away into the River Niger. He said the scale of destruction was staggering, with more than 1,800 homes completely destroyed, 3,000 residents displaced, and over 50,000 hectares of cropland washed away. The total value of damage is estimated at over ₦10 billion.
Critical infrastructure was also not spared, as roads, vehicles, two bridges, and even a portion of the rail line were either submerged or carried away by floodwaters. Jiya lamented that despite early warnings issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and formal communications from his office to the Ecological Fund Office in 2023 regarding the vulnerability of Mokwa and Kutigi towns, no preventive measures were taken.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and expressed concern that government response, though commendable in intent, has been insufficient in scale. While the Vice President, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Niger State authorities visited the area with emergency supplies, the Senate said those efforts were quickly overwhelmed due to the sheer magnitude of the disaster.
Lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated and long-term intervention. They called for the immediate resettlement of those living along vulnerable waterways and demanded that all relevant federal agencies step up the delivery of promised relief packages, including food, medical care, clean water, and temporary shelter.
In addition, the Senate directed its Joint Committee on Works, Housing, Urban Resources Development, and Water Resources to visit the affected communities, assess the damage, and monitor the actual implementation of the Federal Government’s intervention plans.
Senator Jiya warned that unless meaningful investments are made in proactive disaster preparedness, including the dredging of River Niger and installation of early warning systems, such tragedies may recur with even more devastating consequences. He urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life and to honour the memory of those already lost by ensuring that the lessons from Mokwa are not ignored
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