September 11, (THEWILL) – Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathises with millions of displaced people following devastating floodwater that ravaged about 70 percent of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Shettima, who visited in the company of the governor, among other dignitaries, were ferried in a military truck to gain access to Shehu of Borno, whose palace was flooded and offered sympathy to the entire Emirate Council.
THEWILL reports that the flood occurred due to the overflowing of the Alau Dam, leaving many houses, worship centres, schools and 7 Division General Commanding Officers residents.
He then directed authorities of NEMA, NEDC, and the National Refugees Commission, among other stakeholders in his entourage, to collaborate with the Borno State Government under the leadership of Governor Zulum to immediately provide relief items to the affected population.
He said, “I am here under the directive of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sympathise with you over the unfortunate incident. I want to commend you for your good conduct despite your predicaments. I want to assure you that the government will not forsake you as I have directed all relevant agencies of government such as NEMA, NEDC, National Refugees Commission among others to provide relief materials to cushion your immediate hardship. As we speak, NEMA is loading 50 trucks of relief items to be delivered so that we can ease the people.”
Likewise, Babagana Zulum, Borno State Governor ordered that thousands of residents be relocated to safe ground after massive flooding hit Maiduguri.
Zulum personally visited camps where victims of Monday’s devastating flood in Maiduguri were camped.
He sympathised with the victims and assured them of proper care until the water receded and people returned to their houses.
“I am disturbed by the calamity that befell us on Monday, resulting from the increased volume. We are doing everything possible to provide relief to our people. We will provide all the necessary relief support to you, and we will ensure you return to your houses as soon as the situation improves for the best”, Zulum said.
Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said over two hundreds thousands of households have been affected in Maiduguri and its environs.
Speaking on the floodwaters of Maiduguri on Tuesday, Surajo Garba, NEMA’s Zonal Acting Coordinator for the North East Zone, attributed the flooding to torrential rainfall and the collapse of the Alao Dam which has worsened the situation of people.
He warned residents of riverine areas in two states to vacate their homes immediately and relocate to safer ground.
“Thousands of people are stranded and trapped in water so we are making efforts with other stakeholders, more than 200,000 households have been affected by this flood disaster.
“As it is now, the state government has opened displaced persons camps in the following places: Bakassi camp, Dalori, stadium, and other public schools on the higher grounds for the affected populace to accommodate them.”
The Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Council are flooded with the displacement of thousands of residents and livestock from communities sited along the banks of the River Ngadda in Borno.
Alarming reports also indicated that the severely affected communities Monday Market, the largest market in the region, the Business District Area (BDA), Spare parts sellers areas, the Post office area, the Shehu of Borno Palace, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Other submerged communities and institutions comprise the Eye and Dental Hospitals, Cattle Market, Gamboru Market, Budum Market, Fish Market, Gida Mandara areas, Fori and Abbaganaram wards located on the sides of riverbanks of the metropolis, and Jere local council.
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
