Maiduguri flood: Ndume calls for urgent interventions

…urges FG, international community, development partners to assist

By Musa Baba Adamu

A former leader of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, yesterday sympathised with the people and Government of Borno State, following a devastating flood that has submerged many homes and parts of the state capital, Maiduguri.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Ndume who represents Borno South, called on the Federal Government to immediate intervene and support the State Government in coming to the aid of affected residents and homes.
The State Government said the flood had submerged many homes following the alleged breakdown of Alau Dam that has been filled to capacity for the past one week.
It said: “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.”
Senator Ndume, who just returned from Borno, 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.
Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down. University of Maiduguri has been closed until further notice
The University management announced the temporary closure in a statement on Tuesday by its registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan, the institution, sympathised with staff members and students affected by the disaster.