Rainstorm ravages NIWA headquarters, destroys buildings, fuel station, others in Lokoja

The major office block at the headquarters of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), several public and private facilities in parts of Kogi State capital, Lokoja, were destroyed by a devastating storm.

The violent storm, which lasted from about 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. last week Thursday ripped off the roof of buildings in NIWA, caused widespread destruction across the metropolis and damaged public infrastructure, electricity facilities, trees, billboards and private property.

Suleiman Makama, NIWA’s Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, who confirmed the incident, said the storm tore off the roof, covering offices, housing the Engineering, Survey, Special Duties, Project Management and Area Office Coordination Departments.

Makama described the incident as devastating and unfortunate, adding that it left several departments severely affected and staff displaced, leaving them temporarily without operational workspaces, noting that sensitive equipment, office facilities and critical documents belonging to the affected departments were exposed to destruction by the heavy rainfall.

He said. “One other serious challenge is that the affected staff have been displaced and rendered officeless”.

The rainstorm also wreaked havoc in other parts of Lokoja, including a damage to a 33KVA electricity transformer located opposite the Kogi State Specialist Hospital.

The damaged transformer reportedly triggered a fire outbreak at the nearby A.A. Rano Filling Station, destroying five fuel dispensing pumps, while only one dispensing machine was said to have survived the inferno.

Other locations badly affected by the storm include the Police Area Command near the Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Works axis, where a massive tree was uprooted by the strong winds.

Along IBB Way, at least three trees were brought down, while several billboards were also destroyed in different parts of the city. Fortunately, no casualty was recorded in the affected areas.

A popular relaxation spot located opposite the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was equally damaged by the storm.

At the frontage of the Kogi State Tourism Board, a fallen tree brought down electricity lines, plunging the surrounding area into darkness.

In a related development, on Murtala Muhammed Way, a tree reportedly fell on a moving vehicle. Eyewitnesses said the lone occupant of the car was quickly rescued, although the victim’s condition could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.