Borno Flood: Shettima says 50 trucks of relief items underway
* Zulum opens displaced camps
* 200,000 households affected- NEMA
*Markets Market, Business areas worse hits
By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri
Kashim Shettima, the Vice President said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathize with millions of people who were displaced following a devastating floodwater that ravaged about 70 percent of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday.
Shettima who visited in company of the governor among other dignitaries were ferried in a military truck to gain access to Shehu of Borno whose palace was flood and offered sympathy to the entire Emirate Council.
Our Correspondent reports that the flood occurred following the overflowing of the Alau Dam, leaving many houses, worship centers, schools and 7 Division General Commanding Officers residence flooded.
He then directed authorities of NEMA, NEDC, 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 the good conduct despite your predicaments. I want to assure you that 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 speaks, NEMA are loading 50 trucks of relief items to be delivered so that we can ease the People’s hardships.
Likewise, Babagana Zulum, Borno State Governor has announced that thousands of residents are being 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 water 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 hundred thousands of households have been affected in Maiduguri and its environs.
Speaking on the floodwaters in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Surajo Garba, NEMA’s Zonal Acting Coordinator for the North East Zone, attributed the flooding to torrential rainfall and collapse of Alau Dam which has worsened the situations of the people.
He warned residents of riverine areas in two states to vacate their homes immediately and relocate to safer grounds.
“Thousands of people are stranded and trapped in water so we are making efforts with other stakeholders, more than 200,000 household has been affected by this flood disasters.
“As it is now, the state government has opened displaced persons camps in following place 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 areas include the communities, Monday Market, the largest market in the region, the Business District Area (BDA), Spare parts sellers areas, 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, Gomboru 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.
