By Emmanuel Kwada
The Adamawa State Government has cleared Hydro Resources Ltd of any responsibility for the devastating floods that ravaged Yola South Local Government Area, dismissing social media claims linking the disaster to the company’s mining operations near the Uki Earth Dam.
Instead, the government has pointed to human activities, particularly the illegal blockage of natural waterways, as the primary cause of the flooding that claimed lives, destroyed properties, and displaced hundreds.
The floods, triggered by torrential rainfall on July 27, 2025, submerged communities including Yola Bye Pass, Sabon Pegi, Yolde Pate, Modire, and Shagari Low Cost, leaving at least five dead and over 50 injured, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The disaster prompted widespread speculation on social media that a dam constructed by Hydro Resources Ltd for its mining activities caused the flooding by releasing uncontrolled water.
The mining activity by Hydro Resources Ltd is conducted in full compliance with federal laws and regulations governing the sector
In an exclusive interview with TGNEWS, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq Mohammed, Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment and Chairman of the State Committee on Mining and Environment, categorically debunked these claims.
“The mining activity by Hydro Resources Ltd is conducted in full compliance with federal laws and regulations governing the sector,” Mohammed stated. “Claims that the company is operating illegally or that its dam caused the flood are baseless and a gross misrepresentation of facts.”
Mohammed clarified that mining operations fall under federal jurisdiction, with the state playing an advisory role. He confirmed that Hydro Resources Ltd had secured all necessary approvals from relevant federal agencies, adhering to industry best practices.
Claims that the company is operating illegally or that its dam caused the flood are baseless and a gross misrepresentation of facts
The Uki Earth Dam, constructed to support the company’s mining operations, was designed with a spillway to manage water overflow efficiently, akin to natural runoff from the Uki-Tuki hills.
“The volume of water from the dam’s spillway cannot account for the scale of flooding we witnessed,” Mohammed emphasized.
Instead, the commissioner attributed the disaster to decades of human encroachment on natural waterways. Field assessments by the Ministry of Environment revealed that residential buildings, waste dumps, and other obstructions had blocked critical drainage paths, exacerbating the flooding.
“During former Governor Murtala Nyako’s administration, funds were allocated to compensate property owners and demolish structures on waterways. Unfortunately, speculators resold these lands, leading to the illegal construction of approximately 84 new houses on these paths,” Mohammed revealed.
The volume of water from the dam’s spillway cannot account for the scale of flooding we witnessed
The flooding’s devastating impact has been well-documented. Homes, farmlands, and roads were washed away, with residents reporting sudden surges of water that left them with little time to salvage belongings.
The Adamawa State Government has responded by establishing temporary camps at Aliyu Mustapha College and Fatudde Girei Secondary School to support displaced persons, while the state police and military have deployed marine units for rescue operations.
To prevent future disasters, Mohammed announced stricter enforcement measures, including reclaiming public rights-of-way and mandating a minimum three-meter clearance for culverts and drainage channels around filling stations and other critical areas.
“We are reviewing all key locations to ensure unobstructed water flow,” he said, adding that stiffer penalties would be imposed for illegal dumping and encroachment.
We are reviewing all key locations to ensure unobstructed water flow
The government’s stance has drawn mixed reactions. While some residents, like Charles Framinchi, a youth leader in Sabon Pegi, echoed the government’s concerns about poor drainage systems, others, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized the state’s flood mitigation efforts.
In response, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration highlighted its investments in storm drains and waterways, refuting claims of inaction. Fintiri has also ordered an expert investigation into the flood’s causes and vowed to demolish any structures obstructing natural water channels, regardless of their size.
As Adamawa grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the government’s focus on human-induced factors underscores a broader call for sustainable environmental practices and stricter regulatory enforcement to safeguard communities from future floods.
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