A devastating flood disaster has struck Mokwa Local Area of Niger State, leaving 151 people dead and over 3,000 displaced. The recent tragedy has sparked outrage, with Environment Watch, a non-governmental organisation, pointing fingers at the federal ministry of works for failing to implement the 2025 budget. According to the organisation, the delay in implementing the budget has stalled critical projects, including drainage and erosion control, which could have mitigated the disaster.
Speaking at an IDP camp, Haruna Ndazogi, programme manager of Environment Watch, condemned the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for not commencing the procurement process for federal projects captured in the 2025 budget. Ndazogi warned that unless concrete measures are taken, the country may experience more flood disasters as the rainy season begins, since many critical projects have not been prioritised by the works ministry.
Ndazogi expressed concern that while other government agencies have started issuing contracts for 2025, the works ministry has yet to start the process. “We are worried that if care is not taken, we may experience more flood disasters since roads, culverts, and bridges that could have been fixed are left in disrepair,” he added. The organisation has interfaced with national assembly members who confirmed that some roads, bridges, culverts, and drainages were included in the 2025 budget as constituency projects, but the non-implementation is hindering progress.
The NGO has accused the works minister of concentrating solely on the Coastal road project while neglecting other critical projects across the country. Environment Watch has also accused the minister of frustrating the federal government’s agenda on critical infrastructure, noting that urgent action is needed to address the nation’s infrastructure decay. The organisation has called on the President to remove underperforming officials from his cabinet, stating that some administration officials are sabotaging efforts to improve citizens’ lives.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the flood disaster, concerns about the government’s priorities and efficiency in addressing critical infrastructure issues have come to the forefront. The delayed implementation of the 2025 budget has raised questions about the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens from such disasters. With the rainy season just beginning, the need for urgent action to address the nation’s infrastructure challenges has never been more pressing.
