Reps Mourn Victims Of Devastating Flood In Niger, Kwara
•••Seek Urgent FG Intervention
•By Admin
Abuja – The House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the devastating flood disaster that recently struck Mokwa in Niger State and parts of Edu Local Government Area in Kwara State, resulting in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.
Raising the issue as a matter of urgent public importance, Hon. Joshua Audu Gana (PDP, Niger) and Hon. Saba Ahmed Umaru (PDP, Kwara) informed the House that torrential rains, which began on May 28 and continued into the early hours of May 29, unleashed one of the worst floods witnessed in the region in decades.
The lawmaker reported that more than 500 persons have been confirmed dead, over 600 others remain missing and are presumed dead, while at least 200 individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries. Additionally, more than 4,000 homes were destroyed, submerging entire communities, particularly in Mokwa town and vast farming settlements in Kwara State.
While acknowledging the efforts of the federal and state governments, the House commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving a relief fund of N2 billion through the office of the Vice President. The lawmakers also praised the Executive Governor of Niger State for committing an additional N1 billion to support victims. Non-governmental organizations and concerned citizens were equally lauded for their swift response to the crisis.
The motion highlighted that the disaster was exacerbated by the collapse of an old railway embankment near Mokwa, which intensified the floodwaters, severely impacting commercial hubs such as Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa. Entire neighborhoods were swept away, critical infrastructure destroyed, and thousands left displaced.
Expressing grave concern over a potential public health crisis, the lawmakers warned of the contamination of floodwaters with fecal matter and other pollutants. They noted that this could trigger the outbreak of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, and acute watery diarrhea.
The legislators also raised alarms about growing food insecurity in the affected regions due to the destruction of farmlands and the disruption of food supply chains. Vulnerable groups—especially children, nursing mothers, and the elderly, now face heightened risks of malnutrition and disease.
In a show of solidarity, the House observed a minute of silence in honor of those who lost their lives to the flood. Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to strengthen flood control infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness in flood-prone areas to prevent a recurrence.
They called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swiftly provide adequate relief materials, including water purification tools, to help avert an outbreak of disease in the affected communities.
The House also mandated its Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Legislative Compliance to ensure the effective implementation and oversight of the proposed interventions.
The motion received unanimous backing, with lawmakers stressing the urgent need for a more proactive and coordinated national response to environmental disasters, particularly as Nigeria approaches the peak of the rainy season.
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