L-R: Yakubu Garba, deputy governor of Niger state; Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation; and Nentawe Yilwata, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation; during the condolence visit to Niger state over the flood disaster in Mokwa LGA
President Bola Tinubu has sent a delegation to Niger state to condole with the government and people of the state following the flood that ravaged Mokwa and surrounding communities.
The flood claimed the lives of at least 151 persons, displaced many, and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges.
The delegation, comprising the Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, and Nentawe Yilwatda, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, was received by Yakubu Garba, the deputy governor of Niger state.
During a courtesy visit to the state government, the minister delivered the president’s condolences and affirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting affected communities.
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“We are here on the directive of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come and see the people of Niger State particularly the Governor and officials of the state government to commiserate with you; to sympathize and empathize with you on what has happened in Mokwa Local Government Area,” Idris said.
“Mr. President is personally saddened by this and yesterday he directed that every available resources of the Federal Government should be deployed to Mokwa and that’s why you are seeing me in the company of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affair.”
According to Idris, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has already conducted a comprehensive assessment of the disaster and mobilised relief efforts in collaboration with the state government.
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“We are aware that they (NEMA) have been collaborating with the state government to ensure seamless operations. They also ensured that those who have lost their lives; the bodies are respectfully recovered; those who have sustained various degrees of injuries are attended to and every requirement that the government needs to put together are in place to ensure succour is being provided for those our brothers and sisters in Mokwa,” he added.
The minister noted that the president has expressed concern over the recurring nature of such disasters in Niger State and is committed to developing long-term mitigation strategies.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as a warning against future occurrence, especially all those living around the areas where this kind of disaster is prone to happen,” he added.
In addition, the president has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to partner with state governments to enhance awareness in flood-prone areas to ensure that residents take early warnings seriously and adopt precautionary measures.
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Meanwhile, the humanitarian affairs minister noted that the federal government is already considering long-term support for the displaced persons.
He explained that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons has been instructed to take over from NEMA and provide sustained care and support for victims of the flood.
In response, the deputy governor expressed the state’s deep gratitude for the federal government’s swift and compassionate intervention.
“The people of Niger State are devastated by the scale of destruction in the Mokwa floods,” he said, adding that the disaster has displaced 3,018 individuals and affected over 500 households.
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According to him, 264 houses were damaged across three communities, and significant infrastructure including three major bridges in Mokwa and Raba has been washed away, cutting off access in several areas.
Garba described the response from the Tinubu administration as “a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens in times of crisis”.
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