The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has kicked off the distribution of relief materials to victims of the devastating floods in Maiduguri.
The victims who are now sheltering in around 36 camps were affected by the overflow of the Alau Dam, which displaced nearly 2 million people across the Maiduguri metropolis and surrounding areas.
The initiative which commenced on Monday at Bakasi camp along Damboa Road in Maiduguri, included the distribution of essential items such as a 25kg bag of rice, a carton of pasta, and N10,000 in cash.
Addressing journalists, Zulum expressed concern that people not directly affected by the floods are entering the IDP camps, complicating the relief operations.
He noted, “We observed that it is no more sustainable to continue receiving people in the camps because many people that were not affected are tripping to the camps.”
The governor also announced plans for a comprehensive assessment of affected areas to guide future relief efforts. “So we decided to mobilise the resources and ensure that each affected victim had the relief items.
“We have also concluded arrangements that we shall do the assessment at the communities to verify the actual number of those that were affected, “he said.
Senator Kaka Lawan, representing Borno Central, praised the governor for his proactive leadership.
“Let me commend the governor for providing leadership since the flooding started; he was out with his entire team trying to carry out search and rescue and assisting his people. I also joined His Excellency in commending our donors and urging others to complement the government in assisting victims,” Lawan stated.
The National Emergency Management Agency, Director General, Zubaida Umar, highlighted her agency’s ongoing efforts, which include providing shelters and mobile water purifiers to ensure clean drinking water for those affected.
The Federal Government has also announced plans to upgrade the Alau Dam in Maiduguri to mitigate future flood risks.
Governor Zulum further acknowledged the receipt of food donations from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to support those impacted by the disaster.
The event was attended by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, as well as members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State Executive Council.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government opened IDP camps as 70 per cent of Maiduguri remains submerged following the collapse of the Alau Dam.
Thousands of residents have been displaced, while the Nigerian Correctional Service has recaptured three inmates following a jailbreak, with 281 reported missing.
Additionally, 80 per cent of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo perished as Borno State experienced its most severe flooding in 30 years.