The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, improve flood control infrastructure and control disaster preparedness in flood-prone regions in Nigeria to avert future occurrence.
The House also urged the Nigerian Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials including water purification equipment to prevent disease outbreak in the Mokwa communities.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on Urgent Public Importance on ” Devastating Flooding, Leading to loss of Lives and Property in Mokwa, Niger State and Edu Local Government in Kwara State”, sponsored by Mr. Joshua Gana and Co-sponsored by Mr. Saba Umaru.
While leading on the motion , Mr Gana Noted that in late May, 2025, Niger/Kwara State experienced one of its devastating floods in decades, particularly affecting the town of Mokwa and Farm Lands in part of Kwara State;
” Further notes that the disaster resulted in over five hundred confirmed deaths, with more than six hundred people still missing and presumed dead. At least two hundred others were injured and over four thousand houses were destroyed;
” Also notes and commend the magnanimity of His Excellencies, the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who donated the sum of two billion through the Vice President, the Executive Governor of Niger State who also donated the sum of one billion naira,, NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians for their contributions and support to ameliorate the plight of the flood victims in Niger state;
” Aware that the flooding was triggered by torrential rain that began on May 28 and continued into the early hours of May 29;
” Further aware that the collapse of a nearby embankment of the old Rail lines exacerbated the situation, leading to inundation of Mokwa’s commercial districts, including Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa”, the motion said.
Gana also said that” Concerned that the floodwaters swept away entire neighborhoods, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displayed thousands of residents;
” Further concerned that the floodwaters often carry contaminants such as fecal matter, debris, and pollutants, leading to spread of waterborne diseases;
” Disturbed that there is a heightened risk of outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) in the affected areas;
” Worried that the destruction of farmlands and disruption of food supply chains have led to food insecurity among flood victims, children, nursing mothers, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections;
” Further worried that the overcrowded conditions in IDP camps, coupled with inadequate sanitation facilities, increase the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases such as measles and respiratory infection“.
In adopting the motion, the House mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance to the resolutions.
The House also observed a minute silence in honour of those that lost their lives in the flood incident.
Confidence Okwuchi