Emir Palace, University Shuts
Floods In Borno, Others, A National Clamity – Buhari
We’ll Tackle Flood Disaster Head-on With Our New Roadmap, VP Shettima Assures
The collapsed of Alau Dam in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, North East, Nigeria was said to have responsible for defastated fl;oods that ravaged major parts of Maiduguri. The Palace of the Emir was not excxepted from the flood.
Major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area have been submerged by floodwaters.
The Shehu’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo were some of the public infrastructure submerged by flood.
A prison wall located along the Custom area was broken by flood as some inmates allegedly drowned while several others escaped for their lives.
Major roads within the state capital including the Post-Office Roundabout which links major locations in the capital are flooded thereby cutting off vehicular movement within the metropolis.
The Abbaganaram, Custom Road along which the flooded prison is located, Tashan Bama, Custom Road, Monday Market, Gamboru Market Custom Area, Cattle Market in old Maiduguri, Gwange area, Lagos Street are all communities affected by the flood.
The Maiduguri Zoo’s popularity known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park was flooded too. The General Manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, said 80% of the animals in the zoo have been killed by the flood while the others have escaped into the city capital.
Thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced, the majority of whom are women and children.
Several shop owners and small-scale businesses are also affected by the flood.
Touring across safer areas within Maiduguri, thousands of women and children are relocating along with their belongings.
Many of them are seen taking refuge under trees at the major roads.
Apart from large volume rainfall being experienced this year, the flood, according to multiple sources, is a result of leakage of the bank of Alo Dam, a major source of water supply to Maiduguri which draws its source from River Ngadda in Cameroon and the Lake Chad.
FG Offers Relief
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the flood victims in parts of Maiduguri.
Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the flooding.
Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state, especially to the families that lost their loved ones and means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alo Dam.
The President called for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.
He assured Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
The President also said he remained committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.
The collapsed of Alau Dam in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, North East, Nigeria was said to have responsible for defastated fl;oods that ravaged major parts of Maiduguri. The Palace of the Emir was not excxepted from the flood.
Hundreds of families have been displaced freom their homes, with many forced to sleep outdoors. Several residents were seen evacuating whatever belongings they could salvages.
Numerous people stranded, unable to access theri hyomes due to the flooding.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu expresses deep concern about the flooding in parts of Maiduguri, the ca[ital of Borno State.
The worst flood in recent decades has displaced thousands of residents and affected facilities such as the Post Office and the Maiduguri Teaching Hosp[ital
President Tinubu however extends his heart felt condolence to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster griggered by the over flow of the Alau Dam.
While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of peole from affected areas.
In a release made available to The National Press Newspaper, President Tinubu assures Governor Babagnaa Umara Zul;uim that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian nees of the affected people.
“He therefore orders the National emergency Management Agency to asist the flood victims.”
According to the press release, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, INformation and Strategy, President Tinubu remains committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time.”
Following the massive flood that ravaged many parts of Borno State, the North East Development Commission NEDC has promised to collaborate with relevant Government Agencies towards providing immediate relief assistance to victims of the disaster.
This follows an assessment tour of areas affected by the disaster by the Management team of the Commission headed by the Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali.
The team visited some areas within Maiduguri, the State Capital where they sympathised with the victims and pledged immediate humanitarian support and assistance to the victims.
As an interim measure, the Commission will liase with the State Government as well as NEMA to provide temporary relief to victims pending full investigation and assessment of the situation
The MD described the incident as unfortunate and advised residents of flood prone areas to exercise great caution and avoid such areas for their own safety.
We’ll Tackle Flood Disaster Head-on With Our New Roadmap, VP Shettima Assures
Says FG will prioritise welfare of affected communities, victims
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tackle the challenges of flood in Nigeria.
The Vice President who gave the assurance in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday, noted that though the factors leading to the ravaging flood and other recurring disasters in the country are diverse, President Tinubu has already developed a comprehensive roadmap aimed at addressing these challenges head-on.
The VP is in Maiduguri for on-the-spot assessment of the ravaging floods that have displaced communities in the state.
Commiserating with victims of the flood disaster, VP Shettima disclosed that President Tinubu did not only express his “deepest sympathies but has also assured that the federal government will prioritise the welfare of the affected communities”.
Below is the full text of the Vice President’s speech:
Rising Stronger Together: Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Message on the Flood in Maiduguri
I am deeply devastated by the flood that has engulfed Maiduguri and its environs. My heart goes out to the families who have tragically lost their homes and livelihoods in this calamity. Our grief is shared, but so is our resolve to offer support and comfort as you begin to recover from this disaster. Now, more than ever, we are compelled as a nation to come together to overcome the losses suffered, and we are committed to finding lasting solutions to this recurring issue.
The flood, which began over the weekend and worsened in the following days, was the direct result of excess water from the Alau Dam. The collapse of the spillways unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities. As we speak, efforts are ongoing to evacuate and resettle residents in the affected areas, while ensuring the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance until the situation stabilises.
In response to our 2024 Flood Outlook, we had implemented comprehensive contingency plans and adopted proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts. Despite these preparations, the severity of this flood has far exceeded our estimates, marking the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over three decades. The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences. Nonetheless, the Federal Government remains determined in its commitment. As with other states facing similar crises, we will continue with the plans previously initiated in collaboration with the Borno State government. We are resolute in mobilising all necessary resources to ensure the safety and support of affected persons and areas.
This disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the increasing threats posed by climate change, not just globally, but particularly to regions like ours. Nigeria’s vulnerability to flood disasters has been highlighted time and again, as witnessed during the devastating floods of 2012, 2018, and 2022. The factors contributing to these recurring disasters are diverse, and it is for this reason that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has developed a comprehensive roadmap to address these challenges head-on.
In light of data gathered by our emergency response agencies and early warning centres, the government has intensified its interventions in flood-prone areas. These areas, characterised by erratic rainfall patterns and complex river basin dynamics, have been prioritised in our flood mitigation strategies to safeguard communities, protect agricultural zones, and reinforce critical infrastructure.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the government of Borno State for its swift and effective response to this tragic situation. I also want to acknowledge the remarkable resilience of the good people of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion by being their neighbours’ keepers.
His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not only expressed his deepest sympathies but has also assured that the federal government will prioritise the welfare of the affected communities. In collaboration with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, we are determined to ensure that our mitigation and recovery efforts reach every corner impacted by this disaster.
I am in Maiduguri to oversee the implementation of comprehensive flood mitigation measures. These measures will be in line with our Flood Outlook reports, which are informed by historical data, climate forecasts, and hydrological modelling, to provide a clear path forward in managing the varying degrees of flood risks across different regions and timelines. We will overcome this tragedy as long as our resolve remains strong, as long as we remain united, as long as we remain compassionate, and as long as we prioritise strategic actions to emerge from this even stronger than ever.
Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON,
Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
BUHARI
FLOODS IN BORNO, OTHERS, A NATIONAL CALAMITY — BUHARI
Former President Muhammadu Buhari sends commiserations to the government and people of Borno and other affected States, following severe floods caused by incessant downpour.
Describing it as a national calamity, the former president said he had heard of the widespread devastation of homes and farmland, and the loss of life in Borno and several other States of the federation.
He expressed his hope that the relief measures by the various governments will provide comfort and help people who have lost family members and livelihood to resume their normal lives.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this natural disaster,” said the former president, Buhari Spokesperson, Garba Shehu concluded.
