THREE days after floods devastated several communities in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, victims at makeshift camps continue to voice deep dissatisfaction over the handling of relief efforts.
A visit to the affected communities by our correspondent revealed the frustration and disappointment of flood victims, especially over the lack of adequate food supplies and poor camp conditions.
Many displaced residents lamented that although they were photographed with food items by authorities and relief personnel, they were not given the supplies.
One of the victims, Mama Isah, expressed her pain, saying: “We are 17 people in my household, but we were only given one loaf of bread and some tea. How can that be enough for even our breakfast?”
She appealed to the government to allow well-meaning individuals and organisations to support them directly without interference or diversion.
Another victim, Rukaiya Usman, echoed similar concerns, criticising the quantity of food being distributed.
“We are barely surviving. The food they bring is not enough for any family. We feel forgotten,” she said.
Beyond food shortages, the condition of the camps has also come under scrutiny. A community volunteer, Hussaini Muhammed, described the camps as unsuitable for human habitation.
“There are no toilet facilities, and we don’t have access to clean drinking water. People are getting sick,” he said.
Ibrahim Abubakar, another volunteer, noted the complete absence of major emergency response agencies at Kpege Primary School, which serves as one of the major shelters.
“NEMA, NSEMA, and other authorities are nowhere to be found. Everything here is being done by members of the community,” he alleged.
On the healthcare front, Victoria Abubakar, a health volunteer, confirmed that all medical assistance and supplies being given to flood victims are sourced through personal and community efforts.
“We are giving out drugs and attending to sick victims out of goodwill. None of this is coming from the government,” she said.
In response to the mounting complaints, former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ketso, urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts and collaborate more effectively in alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims.
Reacting to the allegations, the Acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, acknowledged the gaps in the relief operations.
“The challenges we are facing are partly due to the absence of a conventional camp,” he explained.
He added that the agency is currently undertaking a comprehensive data-capturing exercise to accurately identify real victims and ensure relief materials reach the intended recipients.
“We are working to ensure that the right people get what they deserve. This process takes time, but we are committed to transparency and fairness,” he said.
As the victims wait for adequate relief and support, the call for immediate and coordinated government intervention continues to grow louder.