Despite securing a $10 million World Bank-assisted fund to tackle flooding in Mokwa Gully, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Niger State governor, is begging Nigerians for money on X.
On Thursday, a flash flood swept through the Mokwa area of the state, with the official death toll hitting 150 by Saturday evening.
About 503 families were displaced, and 256 houses were submerged in the flood. Many of the residents have been digging to find missing bodies and their properties.
Following this incident, Bologu Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to Bago, took to X on Saturday evening, sympathising with the residents but also asking for “humanitarian interventions from cooperative organisations and individuals”.
He further said the state had begun to work on constructing the surface water drainage in Mokwa and Mashegu council areas.
He, however, said financial aid should be sent to only government-approved accounts for transparency.
“The farmer Governor appreciated the swift response of all relevant agencies that contributed to the search and rescue operations and called on the Federal Government to provide a temporary camp for the victims, as where they are occupying now is not habitable,” the statement reads in part.
Following this, the governor went ahead to provide a First Bank account tagged ‘Niger State Emergency Distress’.
He also enjoined humanitarian interventions from cooperative organisations and individuals to provide succour for the victims but advised that all financial assistance should be sent to a government-approved account.
“Account Name: Niger State Emergency Distress, Account Number: 2046096920, Bank Name: First Bank of Nigeria.”
In December, Bago told journalists during a tour that he had got $10 million World Bank-assisted fund to address flooding in Kpege, Efu Abebe and Eti Sheshi, all in Mokwa local government area.
Back then, he also said efficient contractors who would work on the project had been identified as the project was already set for takeoff.
However, the same areas meant to be saved by the fund have now been destroyed.
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