Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev has attributed the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State to extreme weather conditions triggered by climate change rather than dam-related activity.
He also disclaimed the speculations surrounding the safety of the Kainji and Jebba Dams.
The minister, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the incident which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, May 29, 2025.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa who have experienced losses, deaths, and displacement as a result of this natural disaster,” the minister stated.
Utsev clarified that both Kainji and Jebba Dams are “intact and safe,” and that the flooding was caused by intense rainfall which overwhelmed local drainage systems.
He noted that unregulated buildings and blocked water channels, particularly around a tributary of River Dingi, exacerbated the situation.
“This is a stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change. The flood in Mokwa was not caused by dam releases but by heavy rainfall and poor land-use practices,” he said.
According to the minister, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had earlier predicted the risk of flooding in Mokwa and 18 other Local Government Areas of Niger State as part of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released in April.
Nationwide, the AFO identified 1,249 communities in 176 LGAs across 33 states and the FCT as high flood risk zones, while over 2,000 communities fall within moderate risk areas.
Prof. Utsev reiterated the ministry’s recommendations, calling on state and local governments to improve drainage infrastructure, relocate vulnerable populations from floodplains, enforce land-use regulations and intensify public awareness campaigns.
He also urged stakeholders to make use of NIHSA’s flood forecast dashboard for real-time updates and community-level risk assessments.
Technical teams from NIHSA, the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) were in Mokwa conducting assessments to determine the full cause and impact of the flood.
“We remain committed to managing Nigeria’s water resources in a sustainable and climate-resilient manner,” the Minister said.
He also called for a united front from government agencies, private sector actors, civil society, and community leaders in building more resilient communities.
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