The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported the tragic loss of seven lives due to boat accidents in the Mokwa and Mashegu local government areas since the onset of the 2024 wet season.Â
This alarming news was disclosed by the Director General of NSEMA, Hon. Abdullahi Baba Arah, during the 12th Annual Stakeholders Sensitization and Awareness Workshop held in Minna on Saturday.
According to Hon. Baba Arah, five people lost their lives in a boat accident that occurred in Mokwa, while two others perished in a separate incident in Mashegu.
These accidents are part of a larger trend of water-related hazards that have plagued the region since the rains began.
In addition to the boat mishaps, Hon. Baba Arah highlighted that many farmers across several local government areas, including Shiroro, Edati, Rafi, Munya, Paikoro, and Wushishi, are grappling with the devastating effects of flooding.
The flooding has caused widespread damage to farmlands, with reports indicating that crops and farm produce worth millions of naira have been destroyed or washed away by the rising waters.
NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), is actively working to reduce the loss of lives and property caused by these floods.
Hon. Baba Arah urged residents living in low-lying areas and near riverbanks to relocate to higher grounds as a precautionary measure.
He also advised those engaged in farming and fishing activities near riverbanks to temporarily cease these activities to avoid potential dangers.
Meanwhile, a Deputy Director with NIHSA, Engr. John Gbadegesin, emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to protect lives and properties in flood-prone areas.
He urged residents in riverbank communities to relocate away from the riverbanks to avoid the risk of flooding.
Gbadegesin also stressed the need for communities to clear drainages and waterways to prevent blockages and ensure the free flow of water.
Engr. Gbadegesin explained that while the exact magnitude of the flooding cannot be predicted with certainty due to the effects of climate change, the agency will continue to update communities on the situation as it unfolds.
This will allow residents to take timely actions to protect themselves and their properties.
In response to the increasing threat of flooding, the North-South Power Company Ltd, which operates the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant, has launched a sensitization and awareness campaign for the communities living upstream and downstream of the plant.
The company’s Vice Chairman and CEO, Engr. Olubunmi Peters, stated that the campaign aims to educate residents about the environmental hazards posed by floods and to provide guidance on how to minimize the potential damage caused by these disasters.
As the 2024 wet season continues, the residents of Niger State face significant challenges from both waterborne accidents and the growing risk of floods.
The efforts of NSEMA, NIHSA, and other agencies will be crucial in mitigating the impact of these threats and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of those in the affected areas.
