Niger Flood Not Linked to Dam Water Release, Minister Utsev Clarifies Amid Rising Concerns

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has categorically denied that the Kainji and Jebba dams contributed to the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, he stressed that the flooding was a result of natural causes and human factors, not dam operations.

Prof. Utsev expressed condolences to those affected, saying, “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa.”

He explained that extreme rainfall, intensified by climate change, overwhelmed drainage systems, while illegal construction blocked a tributary of the River Dingi, a seasonal river dependent on rainfall. “The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect the excess water further worsened the flood’s impact on the communities,” he added.

The Minister referenced the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, which had predicted flooding in several parts of Niger State and across Nigeria, urging governments to heed early warnings by improving infrastructure and enforcing regulations.