Editorial
Mokwa Flood Victims – Governor Bago And The Respect For Lives
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, is very clear on the core duty of an elected governor – he’s responsible for the welfare and progress of the people of his state.
Sincerely, while we are sad by the fact that president Tinubu did not visit the people of Mokwa to sympathize with them on the death of over 200 people in the flood disaster, I commend him for ordering the release of N2b to rebuild houses that are destroyed by the flood. On behalf of President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima visited Mokwa yesterday to commiserate with the people.
Also, we urge president Tinubu to go further, by ordering the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, to walk it’s talk by giving palliatives to the displaced people of Mokwa that were affected by the flood. There are allegations by displaced people that they have not received any meaningful palliative but a loaf of bread and a satchet of Dano milk – corruption may be at play here!
Reports by state and federal government agencies reveal that most of the houses that were swept away by flood were built on natural drainage channel pathways. Also, early warning advice by the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, to residents living on natural drainage channel pathways to relocate to higher grounds were ignored.
July is the peak month of the rainy season – state and federal governments must be proactive in addressing flood threats in Bayelsa, Lagos, Ondo, Kogi, Delta and Rivers state, etcetera, if we must prevent the loss of lives.
Notwithstanding, relevant state and federal government agencies should be proactive to construct drainage channels to avoid future flooding incidents in flood-prone communities in Nigeria. Unfortunately, opaque bureaucratic bottlenecks by corrupt government officials will frustrate this process.
The absence of the governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umar Bago, at this critical period of grief by the families that lost their loved ones in the flood incident is an insult on the mourning people and families of Mokwa. The the sad flooding incident happened while governor Bago was far away in Mecca to perform this year’s hajj, the death of over 200 people is more than enough to make Bago cut short his religious trip and return home to sympathize with the families that lost their relations – the absence of governor Bago to console the mourning people of Mokwa is a sign of impunity and disregard for their irreparable loss – this is unpardonable and inexcusable albeit the fact that he is on hajj pilgrimage! It’s a sad reflection of the value that the average Nigerian politician places on human lives – yet, when it is time for electioneering campaigns, state governors will be found visiting the homes of the people to console them, even if they lose a chicken!
May the souls of the people that died in the Mokwa flooding incident rest in peace.