Yobe: Flood kills 10 in Jakusko

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Executive Chairman of Jakusko local government area of Yobe state, Hon. Umaru Aguwa, has said that about 10 people died in Jakusko local government area as a result of the floods this year.

Aguwa disclosed this to newsmen in his office at Jakusko, the headquarters of the council. He said the council has constructed over 15 canoes and distributed them to the towns that were worst affected by the floods in the local government area.

“We thank God for what is happening because the disaster triggered by heavy rainfall in the area and Dan Takunne village was worst affected by the flood, but no lives were lost but many properties were destroyed.

He revealed that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, sent us officials of SEMA under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Goje. We want to go to Dan Takunne village and go round and access the damage because Dan Takunne were swept away by the floodwaters. 

“The council also purchased empty sacks and distributed them to all affected areas with a view to controlling the water. Adding that, God, in his mercy, our lucky River Yobe is not overflooding enough this year unlike before, but the floods are almost touching everywhere in Jakusko local government,” he said.

According to him, this disaster triggered is from God, and since the rain fell this year, they didn’t spend good three days without getting water, and everybody knows that this is from Almighty Allah (SWT); therefore, let us pray to God to reward us abondant in his mercy.

The Chairman commends His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, for his efforts towards assisting the local government councils in the state.

He urges the people to be patient; there is an alternative for irrigation farming, and if people engage fully in this irrigation farming, Inshallah, God will reward us with what we lost at the back.

Yobe: Flood kills 10 in Jakusko

Zulum Activates Gov’t Machinery to Avert Flood Disaster in Borno

… Borno SSG to Coordinate Emergency Response

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has directed the immediate activation of all relevant government resources and machinery ahead of any possible overflow of water due to the unprecedented high volume of rainfall this year, to avert any flood disaster in Maiduguri, it’s environs and other parts of the state.

Zulum’s directive, released in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, became imperative due to rising concerns about the possible overflow of the Alau Dam, which recharges Maiduguri city’s water treatment plants for domestic use and irrigation.

The Governor noted with concern that the high volume of rain across parts of the state may possibly lead to flooding.

Zulum consequently instructed all relevant government agencies and local councils to dutifully discharge their responsibilities by continuously assessing vulnerable areas, implementing preventive measures, and conducting public awareness campaigns across all communities in their domains.

The Governor also cautioned the public to be conscious about the possible risks, be vigilant and abide by all directives from government agencies and constituted authorities on all emergency response protocols.

The Governor directed that all local government councils should mobilise all relevant officials and units to conduct site assessments in at-risk neighbourhoods and collaborate with relevant Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), community and religious leaders, and other opinion leaders and institutions.

He said that government has identified high-risk locations that are prone to flooding, and is implementing solutions such as constructing temporary barriers and establishing emergency evacuation routes.

“We cannot afford to be complacent in the face of this impending challenge”, Zulum was quoted as saying. “It is imperative that we should mobilize all our resources, engage all stakeholders across communities, and implement effective measures to safeguard our people.”

“We have a standing committee to mitigate flooding; which, has in the past evacuated and led to the construction of more drainages in different parts of the state. I have instructed more measures to avert any emergency health epidemic. We have also established the Agency for the Great Green Wall.”

“We have also desilted, dredged and constructed concrete retaining walls around River Ngada to avert erosion that could possibly lead to flooding of Maiduguri and its environs.”

“As part of the long-term measure, we intend to construct structures to harvest water for irrigation and embark on soil conservation, including reinforcement at the river banks and desilting of river Ngada to allow free passage of water.”

… Borno SSG to Coordinate Emergency Response

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, is coordinating the flood emergency responses to ensure the Governor’s directives are fully implemented to ensure the safety of all residents.

The SSG has visited Alau Dam, Gongulong, Gwange, Farm Center, 505 Housing Estate and several other locations within the metropolis and environs to assess the situation and provide the necessary guidance to avert collosal damage from any possible flooding.

Many Nigerian states, including in the North-east have experienced flood disasters this year, which have been attributed to the unprecedented volume of rainfall this season.

Zulum Activates Gov’t Machinery to Avert Flood Disaster in Borno

Alau Dam Overflow: Zulum sends a delegation to assess the impact

… Maiduguri is safe, Borno SSG assures

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has sent a high-powered delegation to assess the impact of water overflow at Alau Dam which is threatening Maiduguri Metropolis and its environs.

Alau Dam which has a reservoir capacity of 112 million cubic meters was designed to support irrigation activities on the Alau river bank that is now used to supply tap water in Maiduguri and Jere LGA.

Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Secretary to Borno State Government, led the delegation. They were received by Engr Mohammed Zannah, the acting Managing Director of Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) at Alau Dam on Thursday.

The delegation comprises Engr Baba Bukar Gujibawu, SA to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Adam Bababe, Executive Secretary, Borno Geographic Information Service, Engr Sadu Auno, Executive Secretary, Borno State Road Maintenance Agency and the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Mohammed Saidu Barkindo.

Briefing the SSG, Engr Zannah disclosed that despite the high water level in the river which led to overflow, the present conditions do not pose a severe threat to the city, noting that all necessary measures were put in place to control the situation.

… Maiduguri is safe, Borno SSG assures

Meanwhile, the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani who went around to assess the Alau Dam on Thursday assured residents that the Dam is not broken.

The SSG added that the state government is working with the Chad Basin Development Authority to take steps to protect Maiduguriri from flooding.

He said, “There have been a lot of worries as well as speculations that the whole Dam has broken down, but the dam has not broken down.”

“We have been to Alau Dam on behalf of His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State.”

“Borno State Government is partnering very strongly with the managers of Alau Dam. We have discussed and seen what to do, but the rumour of Maiduguri being flooded is not
there”, he also said.

Alau Dam Overflow: Zulum sends a delegation to assess the impact