Northern senators urge FG to launch master plan for Shiroro floods

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Northern Senators’ Forum has called on both federal and state authorities to abandon temporary relief measures in favor of a permanent, comprehensive strategy to curb the recurring floods devastating the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement issued Wednesday by Forum Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), the lawmakers demanded the immediate formulation and execution of a dedicated Shiroro Flood Management Master Plan.
According to the forum, the proposed master plan must establish a scientifically backed flood-buffer strategy for the Shiroro, Kainji, and Jebba dams.
They also advocated for an active early-warning system powered by local community volunteers and a structured floodplain resettlement program offering land, compensation, and ongoing livelihood assistance for displaced residents.
Additionally, the senators requested an independent technical review of regional dam operations, reservoir capacities, and spillway performance to better adapt to modern climate conditions and safely manage future water releases.
While praising the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for providing initial relief supplies, the lawmakers emphasized that recurring inundations demand immediate, practical safeguards.
Their short-term recommendations include: Streamlined distribution of emergency relief to verified victims, temporary housing equipped with basic health and sanitation infrastructure, deployment of emergency evacuation units and early-warning teams, and heightened public awareness campaigns warning against building along natural waterways and drainage channels.
Citing the 2025 Mokwa flood disaster and a vulnerability assessment revealing that 32 percent of Shiroro LGA is highly flood-prone, the forum warned that failure to act will cause further loss of life, agricultural land, and local economic stability.
Extending condolences to the families affected by the latest disaster, the forum reiterated that long-term resilience—not just emergency aid is critical to protecting riverine communities.