Following the devastating Mokwa flooding, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild has demanded urgent reforms to strengthen building standards and enforce proactive infrastructure inspections to avert future tragedies.
In a statement the guild noted that following its on-the-ground assessment of the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, there is a need for coordinated action.
It stated, “Following our recent on-the-ground assessment of the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, we at the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Niger State Chapter, issue this urgent call for immediate and coordinated action. We at the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Niger State Chapter, issue this urgent call for immediate and coordinated action.
“Our field assessment has revealed extensive devastation, characterised by significant damage to infrastructure and a profound loss of life. Over 580 buildings, predominantly mud houses, have been completely destroyed.
Tragically, according to the National Emergency Management Agency’s latest data, 161 lives have been lost as a result of the disaster.
“Preliminary investigations suggest a combination of factors contributed to this disaster. According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the region experienced unusually intense rainfall. Unfortunately, the excessive water was reportedly impounded by a railway track dike/embankment, which gave way under pressure, unleashing a high-velocity flood that swept through homes, culverts, and roads, leaving widespread destruction in its path.
The guild noted that the level of destruction witnessed in Mokwa was heart-wrenching and demanded immediate attention.
“The sheer number of homes flattened and lives lost underscores the urgent need for proactive, preventive measures to avoid such catastrophes in the future. While the rainfall was a natural event, the failure of critical infrastructure significantly worsened the impact. The floodwaters from the Mokwa town discharged into River Niger through the tributary River Dingi at Rabba Village, barring backflow.
It further noted, “We therefore call on all relevant authorities and stakeholders to act without delay. These include the Federal and Niger State Governments: to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and commence full-scale rehabilitation for affected communities; the Nigerian Railway Corporation: to undertake a comprehensive technical review and reinforcement of railway infrastructure, especially dykes and culverts, to ensure resilience against future extreme weather events.
“In addition, urban planning and development authorities are to revisit and strengthen building regulations in flood-prone areas, prioritising the use of durable materials, effective drainage systems, and safer sitting; environmental and hydrological agencies are to carry out detailed hydrological studies, improve land use planning, and implement robust flood early warning and emergency response systems. This disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of our communities in the face of climate-related events and the critical need for resilient infrastructure that can withstand such pressures,” it added.
