By Anayo Akwitti
The Northern Senators Forum has called on the Federal and Niger State Governments to take urgent measures to address the recent flooding in Minna, Shiroro and other affected communities in Niger State.
The forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, sympathised with families who lost loved ones, homes, farms, businesses and livelihoods in the disaster.
The senators acknowledged the response of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), but urged authorities to immediately provide relief materials, temporary shelters, healthcare and sanitation services to victims.
They also called for emergency evacuation and early-warning teams in flood-prone communities, while urging residents to follow safety advisories and avoid building on waterways.
For a lasting solution, the forum proposed a Shiroro Flood Management Master Plan covering flood-control measures around the Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba dams, permanent flood forecasting systems, early-warning mechanisms and the resettlement of vulnerable communities.
It also called for an independent technical review of dam operations, reservoir capacity and spillway performance to ensure that future water releases are better managed in line with changing climate conditions.
The Northern Senators Forum said the recurring flooding, including the 2025 Mokwa disaster, showed the need for long-term investment in drainage, roads, environmental protection and proper development along riverbanks.
The forum pledged to advocate for adequate budgetary provisions and legislative support to prevent avoidable flooding and protect communities across Niger State.
It urged federal and state agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to work together to strengthen flood preparedness and protect lives and property.
