Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, visited Mokwa local government area of Niger State yesterday to commiserate with victims of the recent devastating flood that swept through the region.
The visit comes as the Federal Government approved a ₦2 billion relief package and dispatched 20 trucks of food items to support displaced residents.
Accompanied by state officials, including Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba and representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Vice-President toured the worst-hit areas to assess the extensive damage to homes, farmlands, roads, and public infrastructure.
“The President specifically instructed me to come to Mokwa to sympathise with the people and personally assess the situation. His heart is with the grieving people of Mokwa, and all issues raised will be addressed, in collaboration with the Niger State Government”, Shettima stated.
He revealed that, in addition to the ₦2 billion for the immediate reconstruction of homes, President Tinubu directed the Ministers of Environment and State for Agriculture to relocate to Niger State. They will oversee emergency drainage works and other interventions under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project to mitigate future flooding.
The Vice President also confirmed that 20 trucks of grains and other essential food items have been approved for immediate distribution to affected residents, with the effort being coordinated in partnership with the local traditional leadership.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Garba urged the Federal Government for swift action, emphasizing that the flood had displaced thousands and rendered over 2,000 homes uninhabitable. He noted the collapse of four major bridges, severely disrupting socio-economic activities in the area, especially around Rabba, where students are unable to attend school during rainfall due to the poor state of the bridge.
Garba added that the state has already designated land for the construction of resettlement housing and called for federal support to execute the rebuilding plan.
The traditional ruler of Mokwa, the Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, also made a passionate appeal for the completion of stalled road projects, including the Mokwa-Brini-Gwari-Kaduna Road, Lambata-Bida Road, Bida-Patigi Road, and Agaie-Match Boro Road. He urged the Federal Government to expedite compensations that have stalled construction, stating that the incomplete projects are worsening living conditions in the area.
Additionally, the Etsu Nupe requested the deployment of ecological experts to address the town’s worsening environmental conditions.
The Village Head of Mokwa (Ndalile of Mokwa), Mohammed Aliyu, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for its timely support and solidarity during the community’s time of need.
The Government’s response, spearheaded by Vice President Shettima, signals a coordinated effort to not only provide immediate relief but also develop long-term infrastructure and environmental solutions to avert future disasters.
