FG Blames Climate Change, Unregulated Buildings for Mokwa Flood.

The federal government has stated that the flood in Mokwa town, Niger State, was mostly caused by high rainfall induced by extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, unregulated buildings, construction activity, and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, made the statement on Tuesday at the ministry’s offices in Abuja, in response to the floods that struck Mokwa, a market town in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State.

According to the minister, the dams did not fail during the recent floods. He ascribed the overflow to climate change and exceptionally high rainfall.

He also stated that a team of technical specialists from the ministry and other organisations are now examining the damage and working on remedies.

The minister urged state governments and partners to use early warning systems and take preventative measures to avert future flooding.

Mokwa serves as a significant meeting and transit point for southern traders and northern food growers. It is approximately 350 kilometres (217 miles) east of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Recent flash floods have left the town with over 200 dead. The floods have also displaced thousands of individuals.