Yemi Obafemi
The Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has apologized for a public misstatement by its Commissioner, Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, who erroneously claimed that 6,000 trailers of rice were allocated to victims of the Mokwa flood disaster, clarifying that the actual approved relief was 6,000 bags of rice.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Media and Strategy, Habibu Wushishi, the Ministry addressed what it described as a “slip of the tongue” by the Commissioner, who erroneously claimed that “6,000 trailers of rice” had been released for victims of the flood disaster.
According to the Ministry, the correct allocation was 6,000 bags of rice, approved by the Executive Governor of Niger State, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago.
The statement attributed the error to the Commissioner being overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, including the loss of lives and property, and the demanding nature of managing the crisis.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has been drawn to a report on Mokwa flood disaster aired by Channels television where the Hon Commissioner Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu made a slip of tongue on allocation of rice to the victims
“In the report, the Commissioner out of shock and overwhelmed by the loss of lives/properties of the victims and stress in discharging his responsibilities of humanitarian and managing the disaster made a slip of tongue by saying “6000 trailers of rice” was released for the victims as against “6000 bags of rice” approved by HE Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago.
“The said 6000 bags of rice are gradually moved to Mokwa.”
“It is pertinent to note that we accept full responsibility for the mistake and we most sincerely apologise for such costly error, assuring the victims that it would ensure judicious and equitable distribution of donated relief materials.
“We assure members of the general public and particularly the victims of the flood disaster of the Ministry’s commitment and assurances of judicious and equitable distribution of all relief materials channelled through the Ministry, and we once again extend our heartfelt condolences to families of those who lost their loved ones and properties.
“Once again, we are deeply sorry.”
