— Urges residents to move to higher ground By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has issued a strong appeal to rive...
— Urges residents to move to higher ground
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has issued a strong appeal to riverside communities to urgently comply with the federal government’s flood warnings, stressing the need to prevent a recurrence of the recent Mokwa disaster.
The government’s call comes in response to forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which warned of widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall likely to cause flooding across 15 states this month. Additionally, the federal government, through the Ministry of Environment and the National Flood Early Warning Centre, has identified 38 locations nationwide at high risk of flooding.
In a statement issued Friday in Minna by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media, and Strategy, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, the state government advised residents living near riverbanks to relocate immediately to higher ground.
Vatsa emphasized that Niger State cannot afford another tragedy like the Mokwa flood disaster, which recently claimed over 200 lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
“Niger State remains one of the most flood-prone areas in Nigeria. Hardly a year passes without one form of flood disaster or another, often resulting in loss of lives and property,” Vatsa said.
According to him, over 2,000 riverside communities across 15 local government areas of the state are exposed to the risk of flooding, making it imperative for residents to heed the warnings.
“We must be proactive to avoid the Mokwa experience. This is why the state government is urging people living near the riverside to relocate to safer areas. The warnings from NiMet and other agencies must not be ignored,” he stressed.
Vatsa added that the government will soon commence a statewide awareness and sensitization campaign, especially targeting flood-prone communities. “We understand the emotional attachment people have to their ancestral homes, but it is crucial they move before disaster strikes. They can always return after the rainy season,” he noted.
The government also called on traditional, community, and religious leaders to assist in raising awareness, encouraging their subjects and followers to take the warnings seriously and adopt preventive measures.
The NiMet forecast specifically highlights early morning thunderstorms in northern states, with heavier rainfall expected in Borno, Zamfara, Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Katsina, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa.
Other areas projected to be affected include:
Adamawa (Mubi),
Akwa Ibom (Edor, Upenekang, Oron, Eket),
Borno (Ngala, Maiduguri),
Bauchi (Azare, Bauchi, Itas, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki, Kari, Misau),
Plateau (Jos, Bukuru, Mangu),
Yobe (Jakusko, Machina, Dapchi),
Katsina (Daura),
Kano (Kunchi, Gezawa, Wudil, Bebeji, Sumaila, Tudun Wada),
Jigawa (Miga, Gwaram, Ringim, Dutse),
Cross River (Calabar, Akpap),
Zamfara (Bungudu, Gusau).
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced plans to introduce a National Flood Insurance Policy as a proactive strategy to mitigate the rising impacts of flood disasters in Nigeria.
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