Flooding has destroyed homes, fish ponds, and vast farmlands in Muye and adjoining communities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, after the River Gurara overflowed its banks following heavy rainfall.
The Etsu Muye, Alhaji Salihu Muhammadu, disclosed the scale of the destruction during an inspection of a water control wall under construction by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC). The project, valued at N700 million, is intended to protect the communities from recurrent flooding. The traditional ruler decried the slow pace of work and urged contractors to accelerate construction as the peak rainy season sets in. He said several fish ponds and farmlands that sustain local livelihoods have been filled with sand, the community market has been submerged, and roads connecting neighboring villages have been cut off.
“The encroachment of the river has threatened the lives and livelihoods of my people,” the Etsu said, expressing concern over the delays.
The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, represented by the Director of Finance and Administration, Haruna Jimoh Gabi, said funds had been released to the contractors and attributed the slow progress to technical hitches. He added that the contractor had been paid a substantial amount to execute the project.
Abdullahi Mahmud, the member representing Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also criticized the pace of construction. “There is a need to complete the construction of this water control embankment on time to save communities from further disaster,” he said.
The situation highlights the recurring vulnerability of riverine communities in Niger State to seasonal flooding and the critical importance of timely infrastructure delivery. With the rains ongoing, residents and leaders are calling for urgent action to complete the flood defense project and prevent further loss of property and livelihoods.
