BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI

Worried by the devastating effects of the recent floods in Mokwa community of Niger state, which has claimed about 160 lives, the Federal Government has called on communities and opinion leaders in the country to take seriously the Seasonal Climate Predictions by NiMET.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who made the call in Abuja on Wednesday, said Nigerians must also be mindful of the Annual Flood Outlook released yearly by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA).

Abdullahi added that it is also important to speed up the desiltation of existing water bodies, while rapidly creating new water-harvesting structures to reduce the flow and damage caused by run-off water but taking advantage of it in agricultural production.

“There is no gain-saying the fact that, throughout the country, communities and opinion leaders must take more seriously the Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMET as well as the Annual Flood Outlook released yearly by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

“It is also important to speed up the desiltation of existing water bodies, while rapidly creating new water-harvesting structures to reduce the flow and damage caused by run-off water but taking advantage of it in agricultural production,” he said.

He noted that this is a most difficult time for the families of the victims, their neighbours, and indeed the communities.

“My heart is broken, seeing the graphic visuals of the devastating floods that killed, as at last count, 160 persons—men, women, and children—in Mokwa, Niger State, last Thursday.

“My heart goes out to those that have lost their loved ones, along with their properties, including agricultural produce. Infrastructure has also been damaged by the deadly floods. I pray that the Almighty will console the bereaved and lighten their grief.

“I equally extend my profound sympathy to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago who, as Chief Executive of Niger State, bears a heavy burden of sifting through the wreckage and stabilizing the traumatised communities.

“I am immensely thankful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly message of commiseration along with his directive to the appropriate agencies to deploy succour to the affected communities,” Abdullahi said in a statement.

He revealed that the ministry has already complemented the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in providing food items to the hundreds of families impacted by the flash floods.

“Beyond the on-going immediate relief to survivors of the Mokwa flood disaster, there lies a greater challenge of trauma counselling for persons who lost nearly all their family members, as well as the restoration of livelihoods either compromised or wiped out by the deadly floods.

“I call on well-meaning citizens and organisations to weigh in with their support and help Mokwa, a critical transit route between the north and south of the country, regain its vitality,” he added.