THE devastating flood that wreaked havoc in communities of Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, remains an eye-opener to the possible effects of coming floods in parts of the country, especially Delta State, as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). As of last count, no fewer than 1,200 persons lost their lives when a flash flood visited the communities, leaving in its wake a distressed people and community that may not recover from the impact in years to come.
Flooding appears to be one of the frequent disasters the country is prone to, apart from terrorists and bandits, who have also made life unbearable in many areas. But unlike terrorists and bandits, floods are predictable and can be mitigated with the right mindset of checking the hazards and saving people from avoidable mishaps.
Mokwa, like communities in Delta State, is located on the bank of the River Niger and recent development, as a result of climate change, has exposed communities on river banks to annual flooding that caused deaths, and destruction of properties.
For instance, NEMA recorded that in 2024, a total of 5,264,097 Nigerians were affected by floods, with 16,469 people injured and 1,400,000 farmlands damaged, predicting that the situation might be worse this year.
So far, NiMet and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have warned that 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory are prone to high flood risk this year, 2025. The States include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa. Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Presumably, communities in Mokwa have had their share, and the result was devastating, painful, and a warning to others to prepare for what is to come. We commend various arms of government, individuals, corporate bodies, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that responded timely in ameliorating the sufferings of the victims of the flood in Niger State. In particular, we praise the state government for helping the people overcome the harrowing experience. Indeed, the plan to build 200 homes, construct roads, provide solar-powered lights, and build health centres and schools in the area is a welcome development.
All in all, the Mokwa tragedy should be seen as a lesson to various arms of government and riverine communities with similar topographical features. In Delta State, for instance, no fewer than 13 out of the 25 local government areas of the state experience floods annually. However, the most affected are Ndokwa East, Patani, Ughelli South, and some Isoko communities.
Incidentally, the next few months of rain will likely bring floods to these areas. This is no time to joke, hence the state government, through the committee charged with the responsibility of handling flooding, has initiated response mechanisms to check the threat through public awareness campaigns, dredging of water channels, and advising communities on preventive measures such as relocating to uplands.
But these may not be enough. Consequently, we are of the view that while the above measures are good as a short-term remedy to the menace of the flood, the government should initiate long-term solutions. Among possible solutions is the long-standing proposal for the River Niger dredging which should be revamped and addressed immediately. Besides, the problem of coastal erosion, which has eaten deep into some communities, should be prioritised. Government at all levels should also synergise to invest in flood-prone areas by constructing buffers, temporary camps, publicising early warning signals, dissuading people from building on waterways, and regular community engagements.
The incident at Mokwa is enough signal of what to expect in the next few months. All agencies of government should act now to avoid a foreseeable disaster!
