World Bank halted Mokwa erosion project after 2025 flood – Niger official – Daily Trust

The Niger State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Raji Shehu Adam, said the World Bank ordered the suspension of a gully erosion control project in Mokwa, Niger State after the devastating flood of May 29, 2025.
The flood killed dozens of people, left hundreds displaced and caused extensive damage to homes, roads and critical infrastructure across the community.
Speaking at a workshop and training on building flood resilience organised by UNESCO, with support from the Japanese government, in Niger State, Adam said the World Bank-funded project was about to be awarded when the flood occurred, forcing the state to report the development to the bank.
He, however, said the World Bank expanded the scope of the project after the state government reported the devastating flood incident.
“One of our mandates is the restoration of Mokwa gully erosion, which was on the verge of being awarded when the flood struck on May 29, 2025.
“We had to report back to the World Bank, informing them of what had happened. They advised that we step down the project because the scope of work had expanded, meaning we had to start almost all over,” he said.
Adam, however, said the procurement process had been completed, adding that the tender had been opened and the report submitted for the engagement of a contractor.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said Niger was among the states classified as high flood-risk areas in 2026.
He listed Mashegu, Edati, Mokwa, Gbako and Agaie as high-risk LGAs, with about 750 communities projected to be affected.
The Chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, Prof. David Jimoh, said gaps remained between early warning information and timely action by communities.
He urged governments and stakeholders to prioritise flood prevention, preparedness and resilience instead of relying mainly on emergency responses.
The UNESCO Abuja Office Officer-in-Charge, Dr Damitri Sanga, said the initiative was designed to address the gaps, particularly in Mokwa, where the 2025 floods claimed more than 500 lives, destroyed farmlands and infrastructure, and displaced thousands.
She said trainees would serve as community focal points for rainfall and river monitoring, early warning dissemination and emergency preparedness.