By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has attributed the deadly flooding that happened in Mokwa in Niger State to heavy rainfall due to extreme weather condition occasioned by climate change.
The minister maintained that the rainfall overwhelmed local drainage systems, stressing that the deadly incident could have been prevented but for lack of adherence by people in the state to flood warnings.
Utsev made the statement during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissing reports that water release from Kainji and Jebba Dams caused the Niger flooding and attendant deaths
He said, “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa, who have experienced losses, deaths and displacements as a result of this natural disaster.
“I like to emphasize that the flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams and that both dams are intact and safe.
“We commend the immediate response efforts of the Niger State Government, local authorities, and first responders who have been working tirelessly to provide relief and support to the victims.
“The flood in Mokwa town was primarily caused by heavy rainfall due to extreme weather conditions occasioned by Climate change, an emerging Global Phenomenon which overwhelmed local drainage systems.
“Additionally, unregulated buildings and construction activities blocked an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, a regressive river, a tributary of River Niger, which remains dry almost all year round with flows solely dependent on surface runoff by rainfall.
“The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect the excess water further worsened the flood’s impact on the communities
“Nigerians would recall that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), on the 10th of April 2025 predicted flooding in 19 LGAs of Niger state including Mokwa LGA.”
He also referred to the report of 2025 AFO, which incidcated that 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas in 33 states and FCT fall within the High Flood Risk Areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 31 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory falls within the Moderate Flood Risk Areas.
Quoting the AFO report, the minister stated that the High Flood Risk States are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara.
“Let me take this opportunity to re-echo the key warnings and recommendations from the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO).
“We had urged and we are still urging states and local governments to act on these early warnings by: Strengthening drainage infrastructure; Relocating vulnerable communities from flood plains; Engaging in sustained public awareness campaigns; and enforcing land-use regulations to prevent encroachment into flood-prone areas,” he added.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), at least 153 people reportedly died following flooding on 29 May in Mokwa, Niger State, in north-central Nigeria.
Many people, among them children, are also missing while more than 3,000 people have been displaced.
