…Flood Situation Still Terrible – SEMA
ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has expressed worries over the flooding situation in parts of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
To this end, Tinubu has ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the flood victims.
The president gave the directive through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, describing it as the worst flood in recent decades.
It is reported to have displaced thousands of residents and affected facilities such as the post office and the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The president said he 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.
“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 assures Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to collaborate to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected people.
“The President remains committed to mobilising federal resources to support the state during this difficult time,” Onanuga stated.
Borno Flood Situation Still terrible – SEMA
Meanwhile, Mr. Barkindo Mohammed, Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has described the situation in flooded Maiduguri town as “terrible.”
Water from Alau Dam, which collapsed early Tuesday morning, has continued to submerge various wards in the town while thousands of displaced residents are scouting for safer places.
Mohammed said on Wednesday in Maiduguri that the agency had since commenced rescue operations and distribution of sandbags.
“Just now, we went for a rescue and proceeded to distribute sandbags in Gozari. As I am talking to you now I am trapped; we came to rescue some people and we are now trapped with my staff,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people are in the streets with nowhere to go while some could be seen lying or sitting under tree shades with their families.
Musa Abbas, with a family of two women and six children, said he had nowhere to go as his brothers were residing in the Bulumkutu area that needed one to cross the bridge.
“The bridge is now submerged; I can’t cross and my brothers can only come for me. We will sleep here and continue to pray the rain won’t come,” Abbas said.
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