AdminHuman Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has criticised the Niger State government for failing to take proactive measure to avert the devastating flood that killed over 200 people last week.
According to the human rights group, it was an avoidable disaster as weather experts had predicted it a couple of days before it occurred.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHURIWA condemned the tendencies of public officials who only rush to disaster-afflicted areas to donate money to victims and families whose lovely family members were left to die by the inaction and willful negligence of government officials, as if such cash donations would wake up the dead who were left to die in the flood.
“Government must protect the citizens from untimely and avoidable deaths and when these occur, the relevant officials who failed in their duties should be fired and prosecuted for criminal negligence,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.
The rights group said failure of governance in Niger State was responsible for the avoidable deaths of citizens.
The death toll in the devastating flooding in a market town in Nigeria’s north-central state rose to about 200 on Sunday.
The Rights group described the consequences of the disaster as despicable, reprehensible and highly regrettable, given that it was possible for the government to have effectively implemented measures to avoid these massive casualties by evacuating the residents who live near areas that are prone to flash floods.
“There is no magic in this. The weather forecasters clearly warned citizens about the flash floods and correctly listed the states that may be affected. How come that Niger State government was found wanting and the officials are now running from pillar to posts when the deeds are already done and over 200 people needlessly killed by the avoidable disaster?”
Deputy Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Musa Kimboku, confirmed the updated fatality count to The Associated Press on Sunday. Kimboku said rescue operations have been called off, as authorities no longer believe there are any survivors.
He added that to prevent the outbreak of disease, officials are currently exhuming bodies buried beneath the rubble.
On Saturday, the Spokesperson for the Niger State emergency service, Ibrahim Audu Husseini, said an additional 11 people were injured and more than 3,000 people were displaced.
“We in HURIWA completely condemns the extensive criminal negligence from relevant Niger State government officials who stood by, took no remedial action even when there were early warnings but they simply left the people to die in their hundreds and now the officials and wives of government officials are throwing money around as if to say their belated donations can resuscitate any of the dead.”
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Niger State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Bago, had reportedly visited victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area, where she announced a personal donation of N50 million.
She said the donation was on behalf of herself and her family to the victims, to help cushion the effects of the flood disaster.
“We are here to console victims of the flood disaster and to assess the situation. The flooding has happened, and from what we saw, it is really not exciting to behold.”
READ ALSO: Mokwa Flood: Niger Govt Under Fire For Seeking Financial Help Despite Receiving $10m W’Bank Grant
HURIWA wants the governor to explain why the people were abandoned to die despite the fact that the weather forecasters clearly warned about the disasters. “The governor should dismiss officials of the Ministry of Environment who ought to be on top of the situation by evacuating the citizens so they are safe,” it stated.
