Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday assured redidents of Mokwa that the federal government will stand by them in the aftermath of the devastating floods that recently swept through the community, leaving a trail of destruction.

While expressing sympathy over the loss of lives and the consequent destructions, Shettima assured the affected residents of immediate federal government intervention and commitment to sustainable disaster management policies nationwide.

Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made the statements when he visited the flood-hit settlements, announcing a donation of N2 billion and twenty trucks of grains to the affected community, by the federal government.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement, disclosed that the Vice-President arrived at the community at about 12:30pm, and was received by the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba; the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Yahaya Abubakar, as well as members of the Niger State Executive Council.

The Vice-President regretted that what happened in Mokwa brought in sorrow that has touched every stretch of the nation.

According to him, “Mokwa has always stood as a vital crossroads in Nigeria’s geography and commerce. It is an agricultural hub and a cultural stronghold that connects the North and the South. 

“This makes your pain a shared national burden. While this disaster is devastating, it will not define you. We will rebuild. We will restore the vibrancy for which Mokwa is known”, he assured.

He also conveyed President Tinubu’s direct commitment to immediate action, announcing that the President has ordered immediate intervention to provide succour to the affected communities, not just in Niger State but nationally. 

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council, HRH Yahaya Abubakar, commended the Vice President for coming to console the people in person, thanking President Tinubu for directing the immediate release of interventions to the affected communities.

The federal government delegation included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, both of who are from the state.