Flood disasters: FG plans insurance policy for victims

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

After the flood disaster in Mokwa community, Niger State, which claimed over 200 lives and rendered thousands homeless, the federal government has initiated plans for the development of national flood insurance policy for victims.

Speaking in Abuja, during a technical committee meeting set up to decide the implementable framework of the policy, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, recalled that in September 2024, Borno State experienced a catastrophic flooding following the collapse of the Alau Dam, a disaster that submerged over 70 per cent of Maiduguri, the state capital.

According to him, the incident displaced over 419,000 persons and over 30 lives were lost.

“Also in Kogi State, over 2 million people were displaced and more than 200 communities submerged with approximately 60,000 hectares of land affected.

“Nine local government areas, including Lokoja, Ibaji and Adavi were among the hardest hit.

“Also, reports from Anambra State indicate that flooding impacted about 54,422 individuals across seven local government areas, displacing 21,083 residents with the disaster claiming 29 lives.

“Early in the year, Kwara State experienced significant flooding that severely impacted on agricultural communities, particularly in Shonga, Edu local government areas.

“The flooding, which was attributed to unexpected release of water from Jebba and Kainji dams, submerged over 5,000 hectares of rice farmlands. About 1,000 farmers were affected with an estimated losses exceeding N11.5 billion. And recently, on May 28, 2025, about 3,000 people were displaced, about 200 lives lost, more than 265 houses destroyed and 503 households impacted from flooding in Mokwa, Niger State,” the permanent secretary, who was represented by a deputy director, said.

Expounding the purpose of the event, Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Mr. Usman Abdulahi Bokani, who spoke through Mr. Kunle Awojemila, said that climate, rapid urbanisation and land use pressure increase the frequency and severity of flood events across Nigeria. He, therefore, called for an urgent step for a coordinated and sustainable approach to manage flood risks.