Niger Flood Disaster: Obi, Reps Speaker Solicit Assistance For Victims

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, (LP), Peter Obi, and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Dr Abass Tajudeen, have sought for assistance for surviving victims of Niger State community, Mokwa flood disaster.

Obi offered empathy to the Mokwa community flooding that killed more than 100 persons and swept away hundreds of houses,

in a statement issued on Saturday.

He empathized with the direct victims, their families and the entire Mokwa community.

He decried the disaster, which followed the deluge of Wednesday night, and said it was a stark reminder of the urgent necessity to upgrade the country ‘s disaster response infrastructure, especially in vulnerable communities.

Obi wrote, “I received with deep sadness, the tragic news of the devastating flooding in the Mokwa community of Niger State which has claimed more than 100 lives and submerged more than 3,000 houses. This is a heartbreaking and deeply distressing development for our nation.”

While describing the scale of the disaster as unimaginable, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election added, “my heart goes out,with deep compassion, to all victims, their families and the entire community.

“At a time like this, we are reminded of the importance of empathy,solidarity and swift action to support one another through grief and loss”

He called for prompt action to strengthen existing disaster response measures, with a slant on a proactive approach, especially in vulnerable riverine communities.

Also, in a statement by his media aide, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, commiserated with the people and the government of Niger State over the flood disaster.

In a condolence message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker described the natural disaster as tragic and unfortunate, lamenting the huge loss of lives, property, and livelihood of the victims.

Abbas particularly condoled Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and Mokwa community, urging them to remain undaunted in the phrase of the environmental challenge.

The Speaker prayed to God for the repose of the victims’ souls and the consolation of their families.

While calling on the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to adequately respond to the emergency, the Speaker called on well-meaning Nigerians, including the private sector, to come to their aid.