Borno flood: Expedite action on assistance, Ndume urges FG

Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on assistance for residents of Maiduguri, Borno state capital whose homes were submerged by floods.

The Borno state government has announced on Tuesday that many homes have been submerged following
the breakdown of Alau Dam.

A statement by the state government read, “Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.

“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms, and the water is heading toward the river bank.”

The University of Maiduguri and some other public institutions have since been shut down.

The former Senate Leader who disclosed in a statement that he just returned from Maiduguri , where he reached out to families affected by insurgency in the Southern Senatorial District of the State, said he is devastated by the news report about the ravaging flood.

The former Senate Chief Whip said all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other agencies of government, to immediately mobilise and come to the aid of affected residents and homes in Maiduguri.

He said the State Government, being very proactive, has already activated all mechanisms to salvage the situation by evaluating people from affected areas and providing the needed support.

He, however, lamented that the gravity of the damage by the flooding is beyond the state government, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and assist the residents in getting the needed support.

Ndume said: “What has happened in my dear State capital, Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is very bad. I’ve been briefed, and what I’ve heard isn’t something we should take likely.

“Homes, institutions, government agencies, and other businesses have been submerged in the flood. Many people are trapped and are trying to evacuate. I’m worried that the situation may get worse unless the federal government immediately steps in to assist the state government in salvaging the situation.

“I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies, and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we’ll witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable.

“I’m in touch with my colleagues, the state government, its officials, and other stakeholders on what we can do to solve the situation. I hope that in the future, we’ll be able to guide against this occurrence. This is a serious disaster, and we need the prayers and support of every Nigerian.”

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