• Says Kainji, Jebba dams intact
Federal Government has debunked claims that the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, was caused by the failure or release of water from nearby dams, insisting that both the Kainji and Jebba dams are structurally intact and operational.

Meanwhile, a case for relief camps and materials has been made to the Federal Government by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and a community leader in Mokwa.

At a briefing yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, clarified that preliminary assessments point to torrential rainfall and the blockage of natural waterways by unregulated developments as the root of the devastating flood incident that struck Mokwa last week.

“We want to categorically state that the flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams. Both dams are safe. This incident was the result of heavy rainfall exacerbated by the effect of climate change and poor urban planning, particularly the obstruction of an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi,”Utsev said.

The minister, however, extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the people and government of Niger State, commending the immediate intervention of local authorities and emergency responders.

NEF, yesterday, expressed deep sorrow over the devastating flood and called on the Federal Government to take swift and comprehensive measures to support flood victims, including the deployment of relief materials, provision of medical and psychosocial support, as well as restoration of essential services.

In a condolence message issued by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, NEF conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Niger.

The Forum expressed serious concern over the recurrence of such floods, citing climate change, poor urban planning, weak environmental management, and inadequate disaster preparedness as key underlying issues.

ALSO, the leader of one of the communities affected by the flood, the Sarkin Hausawa, Tanko Bala, there was no camp for the displaced victims.

While speaking with News Central, Bala said: “They relocated one primary school where nobody is.

Only two people are there. Only those almajiri sleep there, and you are telling me there is a camp. I did not see any camp. There is no camp. That is what I am telling you.

“See my people making their food and doing everything. When they finish, they will enter their neighbours’ houses.

More than 266 houses have gone. More than 100 persons have died. Those were the ones we saw. The remaining ones we did not see—more than 100.”