Three months after devastating floods swept through Mokwa, Niger State, killing more than 150 people and displacing thousands, President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦16.7 billion for the urgent reconstruction of the collapsed Mokwa Bridge, a lifeline for the affected communities.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the approval on Saturday, describing it as a major relief for residents still reeling from the tragedy.
“This is music to the ears of Niger people. The President has approved ₦16.7 billion for a 10-span bridge to reconnect communities cut off by the disaster,” Idris said.
The May floods left a trail of destruction: 1,354 people directly affected, 4,534 displaced, 458 households shattered, and over 265 buildings destroyed or severely damaged. Entire families were uprooted, and major roads were rendered impassable after five bridges collapsed, including the strategic Goodwill Bridge along Mokwa–Jaba Road.
Residents say the loss of the Mokwa Bridge not only severed trade and movement but also deepened their sense of isolation during recovery.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited the area in June, conveyed the President’s initial approval of ₦2 billion for rebuilding destroyed homes. The fresh release of ₦16.7 billion for the Mokwa Bridge marks the second major intervention aimed at restoring hope.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who led engineers to assess the site, commended the President’s compassion, saying the intervention showed that the government “listens and responds to the cries of its people.”
Beyond infrastructure, local officials stress that the reconstruction will help communities pick up their lives, restoring access to markets, healthcare, and schools that were cut off.
Observers say the approval highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure and underscores government’s role in protecting vulnerable communities from disasters that are becoming more frequent.