•Scene of the recent flood in Mokwa, Niger State
The Niger State government says that over 700 persons are still missing following the recent flooding in Mokwa Community in Mokwa Local Government of the state.
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger, disclosed this when he received Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to Gen. Sani Abacha, and his friends on a condolence visit over the recent flood in Minna yesterday, reports NAN.
Bago, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, also disclosed that 207 people had been confirmed dead and over 3,000 households displaced.
“Over 700 persons are still missing and we are yet to ascertain where they are. The flooding has caused extensive damage,” he said.
He noted that the flood caused extensive damage with 400 houses damaged while 283 houses and 50 shops were completely destroyed.
He appreciated individuals and corporate organisations for their donations and contributions noting that the incident was a national disaster.
Bago said the state government was working with professional organisations to determine the root cause of the flood and was awaiting assessment results.
Earlier, Al-Mustapha said the visit was to sympathise with Niger government and the people of Mokwa following the devastating flood incident.
“We are here to register our condolences over the flood incident that happened in Mokwa, looking at the heavy losses and its impact on the state.
“We will meet with the traditional council, especially the chairman in Mokwa, and pray that the incident doesn’t happen again,” he said.
He noted that the delegation comprised of influential individuals from different parts of the country aimed to offer sympathy and support to the state government and affected communities.
He added that the delegation would meet with traditional council with a focus of finding ways to prevent similar incidents in the future and to improve town planning and living conditions.
Al-Mustapha and his delegation earlier paid a visit to former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd).
Similarly, the governor of Niger State has revealed that most of the victims affected by the May 29 flood disaster in Mokwa town, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area, were non-indigenes, constituting over 50 per cent of those impacted.
He disclosed this yesterday while receiving humanitarian support from Veritas University, Abuja, a Catholic Church-owned institution.
Represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, the governor stated that the state government had begun proper documentation of the victims, including collecting bank account details for the disbursement of funds donated by various governments and organisations.
He noted that though the Accountant General of the State was yet to disclose the total amount donated, each affected family was expected to receive not less than N1 million.
Governor Bago added that families currently hosting the displaced victims would also receive support to boost their morale.
Presenting the humanitarian support, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Rev. Fr. Professor Hyacinth Ichoku, represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Rev. Dr. Peter Bakwaph, said some students of the institution lost family members in the disaster.
He stated that the university had donated 150 mattresses, mosquito repellents, and other relief materials to support the victims’ families during their time of grief.
