The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government to take urgent flood control measures, provide disaster relief in Niger and Kwara States
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen flood control infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness in flood-prone regions across Nigeria to prevent future occurrences of devastating floods.
The House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide relief materials including water purification equipment to communities affected by recent flooding, in order to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
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These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Rep. Joshua Audu Gana (PDP Niger), and Rep. Saba Ahmed Umaru, drawing attention to the devastating floods that recently ravaged Mokwa in Niger State and Edu Local Government Area in Kwara State.
Presenting the motion, Rep. Gana revealed that in late May 2025, the region experienced one of the worst floods in decades.
“The disaster resulted in over 500 confirmed deaths, with more than 600 people still missing and presumed dead. At least 200 others were injured and over 4000 houses were destroyed,” he said
He noted that the flooding was triggered by intense torrential rainfall between May 28 and 29, worsened by the collapse of an embankment along old railway lines, which caused extensive inundation of Mokwa’s commercial areas, including Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa.
The lawmaker expressed deep concern over the destruction of entire neighborhoods, displacement of thousands of residents, and collapse of critical infrastructure. He warned that the contaminated floodwaters—laden with fecal matter, pollutants, and debris—pose a severe risk of cholera, typhoid fever, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks.
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Highlighting the humanitarian crisis, he stressed the food insecurity faced by flood victims due to the destruction of farmlands and disruption of supply chains, particularly affecting children, nursing mothers, and the elderly.
He also pointed to the dire conditions in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, where overcrowding and poor sanitation could trigger further outbreaks of diseases like measles and respiratory infections.
Gana commended the swift response and generosity of President Bola Tinubu, who, through the vice president, approved a donation of ₦2 billion to support the affected communities. He also praised the Niger State Governor, who contributed ₦1 billion, as well as NGOs and concerned Nigerians who provided aid.
The motion was unanimously adopted and referred to the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management for further legislative action.
