Civil Groups Blame Niger State Government for Deadly Mokwa Flood
Two civil society groups, the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) and the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), have condemned the Niger State Government for its alleged failure to act on early flood warnings, which they say contributed to the deadly Mokwa Town flood that claimed 159 lives on Thursday, May 29.
Deplorable Conditions in Temporary Camps
In a joint statement issued in Abuja, the groups described the conditions in the temporary camps housing displaced persons as “unfit for human habitation.” The makeshift shelters reportedly lack clean water, toilets, and medical supplies.
“Passing the buck is very worrisome,” the statement read. “Instead of blaming nature, the government should take responsibility and hold officials accountable for ignoring NIMET’s warning that Niger State was a high-risk area.”
Claims of a Possible Dam Collapse
CFSF and RDI also questioned the cause of the flood, urging the government to confirm or debunk reports that a dam collapse was responsible for the unusually high volume of water that devastated Mokwa.
“We suspect there is more to what happened in Mokwa. The government must explain if a dam collapse was involved,” said Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI.
Call for Government Accountability
Comrade Sani Baba, Executive Director of CFSF, emphasized that the tragedy was preventable.
“The magnitude of this disaster is disturbing. NIMET’s warning gave the government ample time to act. Sadly, this is reminiscent of last year’s Alau Dam collapse, which also showed lack of preparedness,” he said.
He also cast doubt on the official death toll, citing local sources who claim the number may be much higher.
“Disaster Capitalism” and the Need for Proactive Response
Jakpor warned that “disaster capitalists” may be benefiting from the government’s reactive response to annual floods. He criticized authorities for focusing only on distributing palliatives rather than investing in proactive disaster management systems.
“This incident should be a wake-up call. We must not wait for disasters to happen before taking action.”
Appeal for Better Emergency Infrastructure
While the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and state counterparts have begun distributing relief items, the groups urged them to invest in modern rescue equipment like choppers and speed boats for timely intervention in remote areas. They also called for dignified shelters for displaced people to prevent further trauma.
