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Zulum Urged Residents to ignore threat from Alau Dam

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Zulum Urged Residents to ignore threat from Alau Dam

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has called on residents of greater Maiduguri to ignore any threat over a possible repeat flooding of the city by the Alau Dam.

The Alau Dam which collapsed almost a year ago is the main reservoir and source of drinking water for residents in Maiduguri yet when its dykes collapsed last year, the entire city centre was submerged killing several residents.

Several people are still missing till today in spite of the fact that the State Management Environment Agency (SEMA) alleged that over 150 lives were lost to the raging flood water which traveled almost 20km to cause such a havoc.

The fears of the residents this time around is predicated on the fact that the water in the dam has been gathering momentum coupled with the inability of the standing flood committee to manage annual floods in the city.

Fears of residents were equally heightened when the flood that hit the city of Maiduguri last week caused the collapse of eight buildings further covered a graveyard, and rendered many residents homeless.

Speaking during a recent inspection of the Alau Dam, Governor Zulum recalled that few days ago, the contractors handling the rehabilitation of the collapsed Alau Dam raised an alarm that the volume of water in the dam was increasing.

The Governor posited that based on the alarm raised, the Borno State government in partnership with the contractors were able to mobilise and fully opened all water channels in the Dam.

He added that the water is now running freely, with the volume of water in the dam receding as expected with less threat to the populace.

The Governor said he was told that the level of the water has dropped with about 14 Inches within the last few days, stressing that he believed the level would continue to drop further making it safe for nearby communities.

” Based on our engineering knowledge, we concluded that there is no cause for alarm. We shall continue to monitor the progress of work in the dam.

” However, I have to warn the people of the state to desist from building on waterways. We have to be careful. We also have to ensure that all the standards are adhered to. ” Said Zulum.

In response to the recent annual floods affecting the capital city the Governor assured that the Borno State government will soon embark on massive drainage of waterways of the city.

On the likely delay in the rehabilitation of the Alau Dam 10 months after the disaster, Governor Zulum noted that government has a process of executing its projects but is happy that the contractors have mobilized to site.

” We had a lot of concern that the pace of the rehabilitation is slow, but now we can see that the contractors are on the site. We have to commend President Bola Tinubu for approving N80 billion for the rehabilitation of the collapsed dam. And looking at the mobilisation by the site, the contractors are working.

” We want to look at the master plan of the State and ensure that all waterways are cleared to allow inflow of water to the rivers.

” We must enforce certain environmental standards to make progress. It is better for us to safeguard, take early warning measures rather than remedial measures after the incident might have occurred. ” Said Zulum.

Zulum Urged Residents to ignore threat from Alau Dam

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We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund

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We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund

By: Our Reporter

The flood disaster which occurred in Sabon Pegi, Shagari Phase 2, Lakare, and other settlements in Yola South affected one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) households and claimed twenty-nine (29) lives. Sources of livelihood were also destroyed by the disaster.

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, disclosed that the loss suffered by the people of Adamawa State is shared by the nation.

Represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Nana Shettima, who visited Yola, the Adamawa State capital, to sympathize with Governor Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, the Government, and the people of Adamawa, she offered her deepest condolences over the tragedy.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu said:

“I pray that Almighty God comforts the bereaved families, heals the injured, and strengthens all those affected. May God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed.”

The First Lady added:

“I wish to announce that the Governing Council of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has approved the donation of ₦500 million to flood victims in the state to help them rebuild and heal. We are also donating 100 bales of Ankara fabrics.”

In addition to this support during the flood relief effort, the RHI Women Economic Empowerment Programme, in conjunction with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is distributing ₦50,000 each to fifty thousand (50,000) women entrepreneurs in Adamawa, as well as in the other thirty-six (36) states, to help recapitalize their businesses.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative for the generous assistance, which she said had given the state confidence in overcoming the challenges caused by the flood disaster. The Deputy Governor stated that the quick intervention of the Adamawa State Government had cushioned the effect on affected communities and that, with this donation from RHI, the healing process would be fast-tracked.

Food items under the Social Investment Scheme of RHI were presented to the Government of Adamawa State for distribution. The RHI Food Outreach Programme, which addresses the immediate needs of beneficiaries, mostly persons living with disabilities, is aimed at ensuring that the vulnerable have access to nutritious food and that their dignity is preserved.

Dr. Ubon Udoh of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), one of the industrialists supporting the programme, said they share the same ideology with RHI of giving succour to the less privileged, hence their partnership.

We Share in Your Loss: Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Adamawa State Over Flood Disaster, Donates ₦500 Million, Food Items, and Launches Entrepreneur Support Fund

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Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack

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Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack

By: Zagazola Makama

Two farmers have been killed and two others injured following an attack by suspected armed men at Luse-Janje bush, located within the Bauchi State grazing reserve, police in Gombe have confirmed.

Sources confirmed the attack to Zagazola noting that the incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 4. around 3:10 p.m.

The sources said four farmers, Ali Jauro, 50, Isah Garba, and two others, all of the same address, were cultivating their farmland when about 20 armed men surrounded and attacked them with machetes, bows and arrows, and sticks.

“Ali Jauro and Isah Garba sustained multiple cuts to the head and were later confirmed dead, while the other two sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the sources said.

The victims were rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Malala, and the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the public mortuary.

The surviving victims named Adamu Sankace, Adamu Maidawa, and one Oshe all of Garin Alhaji Wada village via Darazo LGA, Bauchi State as being among the attackers.

Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the suspects by the authorities.#

Two farmers killed, others injured in Gombe–Bauchi border attack

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Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina

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Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the police, vigilantes and Community Watch Corps (C-Watch), repelled a bandit attack on Tashar Gemu and Unguwar Gambo villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday. During the confrontation, six residents sustained varying degrees of injuries, while one later died at the hospital, police authorities said.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the hoodlums, who invaded the villages in large numbers, were engaged in a fierce gun battle by a combined team of security operatives under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

He said the assailants were subdued and forced to retreat into the surrounding bush.

“The injured victims include Sani Umar, Shamsu Isah, Usman Rabiu, Adamu Amadu, and Isah Abdullahi, the sources said.

“All six victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Malumfashi for medical attention, where Sani Umar was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.” He added

He said security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks and to apprehend the fleeing assailants.

Six injured as troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Katsina

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