The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has expressed deep condolences to the victims of the devastating floods that have displaced over 300 communities and affected hundreds of people in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State. The floods have destroyed homes, submerged farmlands, and left many, especially women and children, in dire conditions, forcing them to seek refuge in makeshift internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
In a statement signed by HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, the organization called on local, state and federal governments to provide immediate relief to affected communities and emphasized the need for authorities to take early warning signals more seriously, more so, when agencies like the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had released their forecasts (warnings) early enough.
Meanwhile, during its community outreach on flood sensitization to frontline communities in numerous states including Bauchi, Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kwara, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, including Niger advocacy visits to Lwafu and Jaagi in Mokwa back in August, HEDA raised alarms about the threat of flooding and sensitized the people on the impact of flooding, and how to avoid them. The outreach employed townhall meetings and the use of IEC materials to educate communities on how to prepare, cope with and recover from incidents of flooding.
Arigbabu stressed the importance of proactive disaster management, stating: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragic flooding. The magnitude of the impact of this disaster could have been reasonably reduced if timely actions had been taken following NiMet’s 20204 Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP), NIHSA’s 2024 National Flood Outlook, as well as our warnings in same regard.
He also raised concerns about potential health crises, as floodwaters have mixed with sewage and other waste bodies, creating the risk of disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the destruction of farmlands poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s food security, as the flooding will likely impact food production and worsen the economic challenges faced by these communities.
Arigbabu called on the government to not only provide immediate relief but to implement sustainable, long-term flood prevention strategies. “The people of Mokwa and other flooding victims across the country need urgent attention, and we stand with them during this challenging time,” he added.
Similarly, HEDA commiserated with the families of the victims of the boat mishap in Niger State and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. The organisation urged the government to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure people’s safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.
HEDA reiterated its commitment to advocating for sustainable environmental and disaster management policies to protect vulnerable communities across Nigeria.