Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, has emphasised the importance of heeding the seasonal climate predictions provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the annual flood outlook from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA).
Gatekeepers News reports that the statement comes in light of the recent flooding that affected three communities in Mokwa LGA, Niger State, on May 29, resulting in over 200 fatalities and displacing 3,018 individuals.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdullahi said, “the floods in Mokwa are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and the need for proactive measures”.
“It is also important to speed up the desiltation of existing water bodies while rapidly creating new water-harvesting structures to reduce the flow and damage caused by run-off water but taking advantage of it in agricultural production.”
The minister highlighted the need for trauma counselling for those who lost family members and the restoration of livelihoods devastated by the floods.
He called on citizens and organisations to support the recovery efforts and help Mokwa to regain its vitality.
The minister, who hails from Niger state, commiserated with the families of the victims of the disaster.
“This is a most difficult time for the families of the victims, their neighbours, and indeed their communities. My heart goes out to those that have lost their loved ones, along with their properties, including agricultural produce,” he said.
“Infrastructure have also been damaged by the deadly floods. I pray that the Almighty will console the bereaved and lighten their grief.
“I equally extend my profound sympathy to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago who, as Chief Executive of Niger State, bears a heavy burden of sifting through the wreckage and stabilising the traumatised communities.
“I am immensely thankful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly message of commiseration along with his directive to the appropriate agencies to deploy succour to the affected communities.
“There is evidence that this is being done, and more importantly, there is assurance that those hard-hit by the disaster are the direct recipients of the succour.
“Already, I have complimented the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for providing food items to the hundreds of families impacted by the flash floods.”
