FG refutes dam failure as cause of Mokwa flood, cites climate change and poor drainage

DDM News

The Federal Government has denied that a dam failure or water release caused the recent deadly flooding in Mokwa, Niger State.

In a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, firmly dismissed claims linking the disaster to nearby dams.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Minister clarified that both the Kainji and Jebba dams were fully operational and posed no threat to surrounding communities.

He stated that the flooding was not caused by any spill or structural failure at the dams, contrary to widespread speculations in some quarters.

Utsev expressed deep sympathy on behalf of the Federal Government to the families and communities affected by the tragic flooding.

He praised the quick response of the Niger State government, local officials, and emergency workers who responded to the crisis.

The Minister attributed the flood to excessive rainfall linked to climate change and inadequate urban planning, especially poor drainage systems.

He explained that uncontrolled building activities and blocked tributaries worsened the town’s vulnerability, despite existing urban drainage systems.

Utsev revealed that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had already marked Mokwa as a high-risk flood zone in previous assessments.

He said stronger drainage infrastructure and enforcement of land-use policies were now urgently required to prevent future disasters.

The Minister also called for relocating residents in flood-prone zones to safer areas and educating the public on climate risks.

He urged collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to build more climate-resilient communities across Nigeria.

Technical experts from NIHSA, the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, and the National Water Resources Institute are currently in Mokwa conducting a full disaster assessment.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the flooding claimed more than 200 lives, with over 500 still unaccounted for.

NEMA’s report also revealed that 121 people were injured and over 3,000 residents were displaced due to the massive flood.

At least 265 homes were destroyed, along with critical road infrastructure and several bridges linking the town to surrounding areas.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged strong federal support for victims and ordered the activation of the National Emergency Response Centre.

The response centre will coordinate recovery operations and ensure timely delivery of humanitarian relief to the affected communities.

The Mokwa flood, which occurred on May 29, has sparked national concern about Nigeria’s readiness for climate-induced natural disasters.

Environmental experts have long warned that rising rainfall and poor infrastructure may combine to worsen flooding across many parts of the country.

Critics say that decades of neglect in urban planning and drainage maintenance are now being exposed as extreme weather events become more common.

The Mokwa tragedy has also reignited calls for tougher sanctions against illegal construction and the blocking of waterways by informal developments.

The government’s response is being closely watched as public outrage grows over the scale of the disaster and the apparent lack of early warnings.

Many residents say they received no advance alerts about the incoming flood, even though authorities had previously identified the area as vulnerable.

Local civil society groups have called for a nationwide audit of flood-prone zones and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on preparedness.

Meanwhile, temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families, though humanitarian groups report overcrowding and shortages of essential supplies.

The situation has also raised concerns about the looming rainy season and the country’s overall emergency response capacity.

Minister Utsev said his ministry would soon release new flood risk maps and work with state governments to update urban development plans.

He added that new policies would focus on long-term climate adaptation rather than just reactive disaster response.

The Federal Government, he assured, is also reviewing the legal framework for environmental compliance and emergency management at local levels.

This review may lead to the establishment of stricter penalties for violations that endanger public safety during seasonal floods.

Climate change analysts say that unless Nigeria builds stronger environmental systems, floods like Mokwa’s could become more frequent and deadlier.

The Mokwa flood remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in Nigeria in 2025, highlighting the fragile state of national infrastructure.

With over 500 still missing, the death toll may continue to rise, and questions are mounting over whether this tragedy could have been averted.

While dam failure has been ruled out, the broader issue of national preparedness in the face of climate change remains unresolved.

For now, the people of Mokwa await further relief and rebuilding, as Nigeria confronts another painful chapter in its battle with natural disasters.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook