Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis

…Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni, Others
…Residents Laud Zulum’s Intervention

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched an aggressive and coordinated response to address the acute water scarcity affecting parts of Maiduguri metropolis and its environs, following the devastating flood disaster of 10 September 2024.

The flood, described as unprecedented in scale, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including critical water supply points.

This disruption significantly hampered the flow of water from Alau Dam, particularly affecting Maiduguri city centre and surrounding areas.

In response to the hardship faced by residents in accessing portable water for domestic use in areas such as Gwange, Mafoni, Lamisula, Wulari and Ngarannam, Governor Zulum has approved the immediate rehabilitation, upgrade, and construction of boreholes across various locations in the metropolis.

Key interventions under this emergency initiative include the conversion of 48 lower aquifer boreholes to hybrid energy systems and the construction of 50 new upper aquifer boreholes. These projects aim to restore and enhance water accessibility for thousands of residents.

During an inspection tour of project sites, the General Manager of Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Dr Mohammed Musa Aliyu, briefed journalists on the progress of the interventions.

“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the construction of 50 upper aquifer boreholes within Maiduguri and its surrounding areas. The project is already underway, with over 25 boreholes drilled and several already outfitted,” Dr Aliyu stated.

He further explained that many of the lower aquifer boreholes being upgraded were originally constructed over 40 years ago. These have now been retrofitted with 50-horsepower solar-powered systems, capable of supplying water within a five-kilometre radius.

Highlighting the importance of these upgrades, Dr Aliyu said, “The governor’s commitment to providing potable water is commendable. Here in Kasuwan Gwoza, we have converted a 50-horsepower borehole to solar energy. Without this intervention, residents would have no access to water as the original infrastructure was badly affected.”

In addition, the Governor has sanctioned the construction of 10 new lower aquifer (ruwan zafi) boreholes, with work currently in progress.

Dr Aliyu assured residents that, over the coming weeks, the issue of water scarcity in the capital city would be substantially mitigated.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah, we are making every effort to reduce water scarcity in Maiduguri metropolis to the barest minimum,” he affirmed.

Drilled 25 New Boreholes in Mafoni and Other Areas

As part of the broader intervention, the Borno State Government has constructed 25 new boreholes in Maiduguri and surrounding communities. Of these, 10 boreholes were established in the Mafoni area alone — one of the worst-hit communities following the flood.

According to Dr Aliyu, five of these boreholes were newly constructed, while another five were rehabilitated and upgraded.

“His Excellency personally visited Mafoni after the flood and promised swift intervention. Within a month, 10 boreholes were drilled and reticulated to various distribution points across the community,” Dr Aliyu explained.

Residents Laud Governor Zulum’s Swift Response

Residents of Gwange 1 (Mai Jir), Kasuwan Gwoza, Mafoni, Bulabulin Ngarannam, Federal Low Cost, and Shuwari 1, 2, and 3 have expressed deep appreciation for the Zulum administration’s proactive efforts in restoring water supply.

Speaking on behalf of the Mafoni community, residents noted: “We cannot thank the administration of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum enough.

Previously, we spent hours every morning searching for water, which affected our livelihoods and the education of our children. Alhamdulillah, with the drilling of these new boreholes, the water challenge in our area has been significantly resolved.”

Zulum Launches Strategic Water Intervention Projects Across Maiduguri Metropolis

Zulum Named UN SDGs Global Champion

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has been honoured as a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Global Champion.

This is another international recognition for his outstanding contributions to peacebuilding, humanitarian response and sustainable development in Northeast, Nigeria.

The award was presented on Friday at the annual NGO Founders Global Network event held in Munich, Germany.

The NGO Founders Global Network is the official and largest umbrella body of non-governmental and non-profit organisations networking across all countries to propagate and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the good of humanity and society.

The award recognised Zulum’s relentless efforts in rebuilding communities devastated by insurgency, improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, livelihood, and aligning state policies with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Zulum had received several awards, including Forbes Magazine’s African Leadership Award, African Governor of the Year Award (Education and People Development Category) 2023 by the African Leadership Magazine and Niger Republic’s second highest national award of “De Grand Officer Dans I`Ordre”.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, Zulum expressed gratitude to the organisers for the award while pledging to continue providing leadership that improves the livelihood of the people of Borno.

Kadafur was accompanied by Dr Mairo Mandara, the Chief Adviser to the Governor and Coordinator on Sustainable Development Partnerships and Humanitarian Response.

Zulum Named UN SDGs Global Champion

Police Arrest 22 Foreign Nationals Without Valid Documents in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Nassarawa has arrested 22 foreign nationals during a raid in New Karu Local Government Area for allegedly residing in the country without valid immigration documents.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed a tip-off received by the Area Commander of New Karu, leading to a raid on a three-bedroom flat located at Ibro Block, New Karu, on April 10 at about 1:00 p.m.

The sources said that the arrested suspects included nationals from Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. They include 14 men and 8 women, aged between 20 and 45 years.

Among them are Amidu Dau, 23; Youssouf Diarra, 28; Amadou Ba, 27; Samba Gadyaga, 20; Oumarou Bari, 45 — all from Mali; and Fatoumaya Ouedraga, 20; Aicha Toure, 20; Safiatou Banba, 24; Djamila Dao, 25; Doumbia Ismael, 30; Aroune Kone, 24; and Dao Samassi, 26 — all from Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

Others arrested include Seydou Kassoungue, 21; Moussa Diallo, 23; Fatim Kouyate, 21; Abi Bembele, 26; Mamadou Fane, 22; David Kone, 28; Konate Tchemoko, 20; and Amadou Dao, 28.

Preliminary investigations revealed that none of the suspects possessed valid travel or immigration documents permitting their stay in Nigeria.

The police sources said all the suspects are undergoing further investigation, and appropriate actions will be taken in collaboration with relevant immigration authorities.

Police Arrest 22 Foreign Nationals Without Valid Documents in Nasarawa