We must act on flood forecasts to prevent disasters like Mokwa, says minister

Aliyu Abdullahi, minister of state for agriculture and food security, has urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to the seasonal climate prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the annual flood outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA).

The minister’s admonition follows the recent flooding in three communities in Mokwa LGA, Niger state on May 29, in which over 200 people were confirmed dead and 3,018 others were displaced.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdullahi said, “the floods in Mokwa are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and the need for proactive measures”.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that, throughout the country, communities and opinion leaders must take more seriously the Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMET as well as the Annual Flood Outlook released yearly by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency,” he added.

“It is also important to speed up the desiltation of existing water bodies while rapidly creating new water-harvesting structures to reduce the flow and damage caused by run-off water but taking advantage of it in agricultural production.”

The minister highlighted the need for trauma counselling for those who lost family members and the restoration of livelihoods devastated by the floods.

He called on citizens and organisations to support the recovery efforts and help Mokwa to regain its vitality.

The minister, who hails from Niger state, commiserated with the families of the victims of the disaster.

“This is a most difficult time for the families of the victims, their neighbours, and indeed their communities. My heart goes out to those that have lost their loved ones, along with their properties, including agricultural produce,” he said.

“Infrastructure have also been damaged by the deadly floods. I pray that the Almighty will console the bereaved and lighten their grief.

“I equally extend my profound sympathy to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago who, as Chief Executive of Niger State, bears a heavy burden of sifting through the wreckage and stabilising the traumatised communities.

“I am immensely thankful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly message of commiseration along with his directive to the appropriate agencies to deploy succour to the affected communities.

“There is evidence that this is being done, and more importantly, there is assurance that those hard-hit by the disaster are the direct recipients of the succour.

“Already, I have complimented the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for providing food items to the hundreds of families impacted by the flash floods.”

“I must admit that each rainy season in recent years has often left me with a deep sense of foreboding, as water-related disasters gain prominence in the news.

“Usually, they are boat mishaps in which scores lose their lives, and floods submerge farmlands, leading to significant crop losses and diminished livelihoods.”