Borno Floods: FG Deploys Experts to Test for Hazardous Chemicals

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has deployed a team of experts to help mitigate the effects of the flooding that ravaged parts of Borno state.

The government also announced that experts will carry out continuous water sampling and tests and identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and take proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases in the state.

The recent flooding in Borno State, caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam, has resulted in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.

In a press statement on Wednesday, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, noted that he led key officials of the ministry to pay a condolence and sympathy visit to the state last Friday, towards mitigating the adverse effects that may occur as a result of the unfortunate flood incidence.
Lawal stated that it is important to focus on the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive response to mitigate the resultant environmental challenges posed by the flood.

He said: “During the condolence visit, I informed the Governor that the Federal Ministry of Environment will send a team of experts from the relevant department, agencies and projects to collaborate with Borno State Government in addressing the impacts of the flood.”

The minister highlighted that the ministry has consequently deployed a team of experts from the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, the Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, the Department of Forestry; the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-arid Landscape Programme Project, the Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project, the National Park Services, and the Environmental Health Council to help in mitigating the effects of the flooding.

He said: “The above team will carry out continuous water sampling and tests, identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and take proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases. Similarly, the team will maintain continuous sampling of water sources which is essential for monitoring water quality, identifying contamination, as well as taking proactive measures to maintain public health and safety in the state. All agencies under the Ministry in Borno State have been directed to collaborate with the State Government to mitigate the effects of the flood disaster.
“So far, 100 drums of 40kg of chlorine has been deployed to Borno State to disinfect water sources, ensuring safe drinking water and preventing waterborne diseases like cholera. Furthermore, the Ministry will deploy 30,000 flyers to sensitise the public on best sanitation and hygiene practices which include proper waste disposal, frequent handwashing, and personal hygiene to reduce the spread of infections.

“Beyond immediate short-term response, the Ministry will also work closely with Borno State Government to develop comprehensive flood mitigation strategies and early warning mechanisms to safeguard against future recurrences. We will also explore avenues for collaboration with international partners to strengthen the State’s capacity for disaster risk management and climate adaptation.”

The minister commended Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum for his swift response in mobilising resources and ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected communities.

He said: “I am confident that under His Excellency’s capable leadership, Borno State will emerge stronger from this tragedy and the resilience of its people will once again shine through.
“I hope that together, the Federal Government will strengthen its resolve to build resilience against such environmental challenges in the future.”

Borno Floods: FG Deploys Experts to Test for Hazardous Chemicals

Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Youth Professionals Demand Investigation into Reckless Handling of Alau Dam

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals
have demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for Alau Dam’s reckless handling.

The group on Tuesday in a signed statement by its chairman, Isaac Abrak while insisting that the commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives which has now failed the people, noted that the recent flooding in Borno State, caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam, has resulted in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.

The statement read: “We demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the dam’s reckless handling. The commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives has failed the people.

“While commending President Tinubu’s compassionate visit and N3 billion pledge, we question setting up another fund without investigating why existing Ecological Funds (N40 billion, with Borno receiving N800 million) have failed to mitigate climate issues.

“Flooding is an existential problem worsened by leadership failures. Throwing money at environmental problems without accountability is inhumane.

“We urge: Investigation and accountability for dam mishandling; Transparent utilization of existing funds; Safe housing construction in highland areas; Logistics support for temporary relocation; School closures and alternative education arrangements.”

The group insisted that: “The 2022 Bayelsa flooding serves as a stark reminder. We cannot continue to fail the most vulnerable.”

Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Youth Professionals Demand Investigation into Reckless Handling of Alau Dam

Maiduguri Flood: Marwa in Maiduguri, facilitates donation of N120million worth fertilizer to Borno govt

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) in order to arrest famine that may followed the adverse effects of Maiduguri flooding which left over half of the city and environs submerged in water, has influenced the donation of high yield fertilizers equivalent of ten trailer loads worth N120 million to the Borno state government for eventual distribution to affected farmers to aid their quick return to the farm.

Marwa made the announcement on Tuesday while paying a condolence visit to the governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, His Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanem over the recent flood disaster that claimed lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of residents and damaged several properties in Maiduguri and its environs.

Speaking during his visit to Governor Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Marwa said as a concerned Nigerian and former Military Governor of the old Borno state, he is moved by the magnitude of the flood disaster on the lives, livelihood and properties of the people as well as the environment.

He said this made him to contact a fertilizer company he knows for support and they have donated high yield fertilizers equivalent of ten trailer loads worth N120 million to the state government for eventual distribution to affected farmers to aid their quick return to the farm and prevent famine in the months ahead.

He said: “From my knowledge of Borno state as a former military governor here, I can appreciate the enormity of the devastation of this flood on the lives of the people of Maiduguri, their livelihood, their homes and even the environment. With figures coming out on the number of deaths, displaced persons, properties damaged and land areas affected, this may probably be the worst natural disaster that has ever hit a single city in the history of Nigeria.

“This is why I have to come down here to commiserate with the governor, the state government, our royal father the Shehu of Borno and the entire people of the state. The situation on ground demands well-meaning Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the state government to ameliorate the impact of this disaster on the people.

“I know the state government has been doing a lot and will be considering short term, medium term and long term measures at ameliorating the impact of the disaster on the people; the short term being immediate needs like food, water, medicines, cash gifts and temporary shelter, while the medium term would be interventions intended to return people’s lives to normalcy like getting them back to the farms which have been devastated by the flood. In this regard, we have been able to facilitate the donation of high yield fertilizers equivalent of 10 trailer loads worth N120 million by a fertilizer company well known to me to the state government for eventual distribution to farmers who will need to return to their farms to avoid famine in the months ahead.”

Governor Zulum and the Shehu expressed appreciation to Marwa for finding time to identify with the people of the state and his kind gesture to the affected people.

Maiduguri Flood: Marwa in Maiduguri, facilitates donation of N120million worth fertilizer to Borno govt