FG opens IDP camps as flood submerges 70% of Maiduguri | Read Details
President Bola Tinubu has directed for the opening of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs camps across Maiduguri, Borno state as flood caused by the collapse of dam, takes over 70% of the state.
A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga read in part;
“While relevant authorities are still assessing the damage wrought by the flood, the President calls for the immediate evacuation of people from affected areas.
“President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam.
“President Tinubu assures Governor Babagana Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
“He orders the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the flood victims.”
The flood is the worst Borno state has experienced in 30 years.
According to the spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel, so many residents are trapped underwater as the flooding started when they were asleep.
Ezekiel said:
“Some locations that I personally know and consider to be high ground, from the report we received, are already underwater, including Lagos Street, the market area, the palace of the Shehu of Borno, at least the front of the palace, we can see water there.
“About 70 per cent of the town is already underwater. So, many people are trapped as the flood intensified when people were sleeping; some people woke up to discover that they were inside water.”
“The overflow of the main source of the dam in Borno State, called Alau Dam, has brought the city to be underwater since last weekend. So, our attention now and our energy are geared towards providing necessary support, by way of search and rescue, and supporting people that have been impacted. That is what we are doing now.”
“Our search and rescue team are already working with the state officials of the state emergency management agency, providing support to people affected by the flood. By the way, what is happening in Maiduguri is something that was not envisaged, and that it will be to this extent. The flooding has exceeded the forecast made because of what is happening in Maiduguri today (Tuesday).”
Manzo said city residents moved to a higher ground when the initial flood happened in Gwangi. However, the higher ground has been overtaken by water, leading the state government to open the Bakasi Camp, a bigger area, for people to move into.
“Our team is on ground there, and we are working with the state emergency management agency to provide the necessary support, and to save lives from the flooding,” Manzo added.
“Initially, about three camps were open in Gwangi, but with this situation now, people have moved to join their relations on the higher ground, and those that do not have relations in the higher part of the town, have moved to Bakasi Camp.”
