***‘It’s a tragedy shared by all’
“We will rebuild. We will restore the vibrancy for which Mokwa is known.’’
This was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope to the people of Mokwa, Niger State, who lost over 207 of their loved ones and hundreds of houses swept away by floods last week.
To walk the talk, the President announced N2 billion for the reconstruction of the affected communities and directed that 20 trucks loaded with grains be dispatched to the ‘’actual victims’’ of the disaster.
He also ordered Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal to relocate to the state to ensure immediate intervention under the ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes) drainage project in Mokwa town.
ACReSAL is a World Bank-financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states of Northern Nigeria.
The distribution of the food items to the victims is to be done in collaboration with the Village Head (Ndalile of Mokwa), Mohammed Shaba.
The state government, which on Tuesday put the death toll at 208 with 84 missing, said on Wednesday that 13,354 people were impacted by the flood.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, was on arrival in Mokwa received by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba; some senior state officials, the Ndalile of Mokwa and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar.
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi – both from Niger State – accompanied the Vice-President.
Shettima did an aerial inspection of the flood-affected areas.
Addressing the people, Shettima said: “His Excellency, President Tinubu, sends his heartfelt condolences and stands in solidarity with you during this trying time.
“He has directed immediate action to assess the damage and provide the necessary support to aid your recovery.
“We will rebuild. We will restore the vibrancy for which Mokwa is known. While this disaster is devastating, it will not define you.
“The greatest honour we can give to those we have lost in this regrettable tragedy is our commitment to a future where such disasters are reduced through proactive measures and sustainable practices.
“In times like these, we are reminded that a tragedy in one part of our nation is a sorrow shared by all.
“The preservation of life, whether threatened by natural calamities or human actions, is a responsibility we all share,” he said.
He described Mokwa as a town of national significance, whose loss is felt far beyond Niger State.
“Mokwa has always stood as a vital crossroads in Nigeria’s geography and commerce. This makes your pain a shared national burden,” Shettima said.
He added that the whole country mourns with the people and stands with them in their period of pain.
The Vice President emphasised that beyond emergency aid, the Tinubu Administration was committed to a sustainable rebuilding plan that not only addresses the current devastation of the town but seeks to mitigate future disasters.
He assured that ecological and environmental challenges in Mokwa must be met with sustainable solutions, not reactive measures.
Shettima also revealed that he had directed the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to facilitate the installation of transformers in Mokwa to ensure steady electricity supply.
He hailed the state government and relevant agencies for their prompt response to the disaster.
Shettima, thereafter, made a symbolic presentation of relief items to selected families and inspected the flood-affected areas in the town.
Governor Mohammed Bago, who is away in Saudi Arabia on a holy pilgrimage, was represented by Deputy Governor Garba.
Garba, who has been in charge since the floods ravaged the town, thanked the Federal Government for its continued support.
“Within 24 hours, NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) was on the ground to assess the damage and begin the process of intervention.
“We are grateful for the prompt action,” he said.
Garba urged the Federal Government to also repair other bridges in Mokwa and the rail lines connecting the North and South that were affected.
The governor also appealed for the rehabilitation of the Jaba-Mokwa-Bida road to ease transportation challenges.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Abubakar Gawu said the Vice President’s presence had boosted the people’s morale.
“Your visit has strengthened us,” Gawu told Shettima.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Head of the state’s Response Centre, Murtala Bagana, provided details of the flood’s impact.
He said that among the 13,354 people affected, 186 were injured and 4,534 were displaced.
Bagana added that 265 houses, two major roads and five bridges were damaged.
The Etsu Nupe, who chairs the state council of traditional rulers, commended President Tinubu’s intervention.
He said: “There is an ongoing road project bypassing Mokwa town, but because of compensation, the work has stopped.
‘’We appeal to the Federal Government to fast-track the project as it is making life unbearable for the people.”
He also appealed for the completion of the Mokwa-Brini-Gwari Kaduna Road, Lambata-Bida Road, Bida-Patigi Road, and Agaie-Match Boro Road.
He further called for the deployment of an expert team to address ecological issues in Mokwa.
The Etsu Nupe expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and those whose properties were destroyed.
Abubakar directed religious leaders, district and village heads in his domain, to pray to Almighty Allah to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy.
The Ndalile of Mokwa described the flood as a divine test.
He expressed confidence that Mokwa would recover with continued support from the government at all levels.
