President Bola Tinubu has approved N2 billion for the immediate reconstruction of homes of people affected by the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, disclosed this when he visited the victims in Mokwa town, Mokwa Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.

He assured that the federal government would address issues raised by the affected victims of the flood disaster.

He said, “The President specifically instructed me to come to Mokwa to commiserate with the people over the tragedy that befell the town. His heart is with the grieving people of Mokwa. All issues raised will be addressed by the federal government in collaboration with the Niger State government.’’

Mr Kashim disclosed that the President also directed the ministers for environment and state for agriculture to relocate to Niger State to ensure immediate intervention under the ACRSAL project for drainage issues in Mokwa town.

He added that 20 trucks of food items had been approved by Mr Tinubu for distribution to the victims in collaboration with the village head of Mokwa.

He commended the deputy governor and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency for their proactiveness in handling the situation.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, appealed to the federal government for quick intervention to address the impact of the disaster.

“We are saddened as s state due to the flood disaster; we commend NEMA DG for promptly responding to the disaster. We need quick intervention as the four collapsed bridges have cut down social and economic activities especially in Rabba as students cannot come to Mokwa when there’s rainfall, the bridge needs to be fixed,” he said.

He disclosed that over 2,000 houses were destroyed, and victims managing with people, adding that the state had available land that could be used to build houses for them.

Earlier, the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, appealed to the federal government to intervene in several road projects in Mokwa and across the state.

“There is an ongoing road project bypassing Mokwa town, but because of compensation, the work has stopped. We appeal to the FG to fast-track the project as it is making life unbearable for the people,” he said.

He also appealed to the federal government to complete the Mokwa-Brini-Gwari Kaduna Road, Lambata-Bida road, Bida-Patigi road, and Agaie-Match Boro roads.

He further called for the deployment of an ecological team to address ecological issues in the town, while appreciating Mr Tinubu for directing the vice president to visit the area to commiserate with the victims.

Also speaking, Village Head of Mokwa (Ndalile of Mokwa),  Mohammed Aliyu, appreciated the federal government for the show of support to the community since the flood disaster.

(NAN)