Maiduguri flooding has reached level of national emergency – Atiku
By John Ogunsemore
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has bemoaned the flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, describing it as a dire national emergency.
Atiku said this in a statement he shared on social media on Tuesday.
Daily Sun reports that major roads, homes, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis and parts of Jere Local Government Area were submerged by floodwaters on Tuesday.
Thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced as a result of the flooding.
Many popular public infrastructure including the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo were affected.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku said, “The catastrophic flooding in Maiduguri has reached the level of a dire national emergency.
“According to media reports, the devastation is the result of the Alau Dam’s overflow and subsequent breach, which has forcibly displaced thousands of residents.
“This deluge has ravaged farms and plunged a significant portion of Maiduguri into an urgent humanitarian crisis.
“I am also informed by available statistics from NEMA that recent floods have damaged approximately 16,488 hectares of farmland across 27 states; destroyed 32,000 houses, and impacted no less than 227,000 people.
“I earnestly implore the pertinent federal relief agencies to expedite their efforts in mitigating the effects of this calamity.”
Atiku sympathised with the people and government of Borno State government “as they grapple with the profound economic repercussions of this disaster”.
He called upon the public to adhere strictly with the government’s guidelines, especially as it relates to evacuating fom areas vulnerable to flooding to minimise further harm to lives and property during this challenging time.
