As Tinubu Directs Repairs Of Damaged Bridge
The Federal Government has refuted claims that the recent devastating flood in Mokwa, Niger, was caused by the release or failure of water from nearby dams.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said both the Kainji and Jebba dams remained structurally sound and operational.
”It is important to clarify that the flooding in Mokwa was not the result of any water release from the Kainji or Jebba dams.
”Both facilities are intact and pose no risk to surrounding communities,” the minister stated.
Utsev expressed the federal government’s sympathy to the Government and people of Niger, especially the communities affected by the disaster, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 29.
He commended the swift response of the state government, local authorities, and first responders for providing relief to victims.
According to the minister, the flooding was largely due to heavy rainfall associated with extreme weather conditions driven by climate change, which overwhelmed the town’s drainage infrastructure.
He explained that unregulated building activities and encroachments blocked a seasonal tributary of River Dingi, which normally remained dry except during periods of heavy rainfall. According to him, the absence of efficient alternative drainage channels worsened the situation.
The minister also recalled that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), under the ministry, had warned of potential flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area as part of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released on April 10.
”The AFO identified 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as high flood-risk zones. An additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs were listed as moderate risk.
”The high-risk states include Abia, Adamawa, AkwaIbom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” he said.
He reiterated earlier warnings, urging state and local governments to improve drainage, relocate at-risk communities, raise public awareness, and enforce land-use laws.
He also encouraged stakeholders to consult NIHSA’s online flood forecast dashboard for detailed, location-specific risk information to aid proactive planning and disaster mitigation.
Utsev described the Mokwa flood as a stark reminder of the increasing impact of climate change, which continues to manifest in more frequent and intense weather events nationwide. ”As a Ministry, we remain fully committed to managing Nigeria’s water resources sustainably and building climate-resilient systems.
”We call on all sectors, government, private, civil society, and communities to work together in building safer and more resilient environments,” he said.
He added that technical personnel from the ministry, NIHSA, the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) were already on site in Mokwa conducting a thorough assessment to guide future interventions.
While expressing the government’s condolences, the minister noted that flooding is not just a natural event but a developmental issue requiring coordinated and sustained response.
According to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 200 people lost their lives and around 500 remain missing following the floods in Mokwa on May 29.
Meanwhile President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry for Works to repair the damaged bridge linking the north and southern parts of the country washed away by recent flood in Mokwa, Niger state.
Minister of State for Works,Malam Bello Goronyo, disclosed this when he led a delegation from the ministry on a condolence visit to Mokwa to commiserate with the people over the flood disaster.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flood disaster that occurred on May 29 claimed the lives of 158 people.
Goronyo told the village head of Mokwa during the visit that the president directed the ministry to provide an access road for vehicular movement and to do everything possible to restore the damaged bridge.
“The President gave a clear directive for me to come and commiserate with the government and people of Niger state over the ugly incident.
“In his directives, he said we should do everything possible to restore the access road for vehicular movement on the damaged bridge washed away by the flood.
“The president directed that we provide an access road for vehicular movement and create an access road due to the high volume of articulated vehicles carrying goods from the north to the south,” he said.
He said that the ministry would continue to do more in areas of infrastructure in the country, particularly in Niger that host alot of Federal road networks due to its strategic location connecting North and South.
Responding, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, the village head of Mokwa (Ndalila of Mokwa) disclosed that over 200 houses and four bridges collapsed with many people still missing.
He said the affected bridges included the rail bridge and the main bridge connecting the North and South.
He appealed to the government to resettle affected persons.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Niger, YakubuGarba, thanked President Tinubu for the condolence visit and expressed happiness over the show of concern from the Federal government. (NAN)
