Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has commenced the distribution of relief materials to flood victims in Maiduguri, following the devastation caused by the overflow of Alau Dam due to heavy rainfall. The flood affected parts of Maiduguri, Jere, and Konduga, displacing nearly 2 million people and causing damage worth billions of naira.
The distribution, held at Bakasi camp along Damboa Road, includes 25kg bags of rice, cartons of pasta, and N10,000 in cash. Governor Zulum expressed concerns over the influx of individuals who were not directly affected by the flood, complicating efforts to efficiently distribute the relief items.
“We observed that it is no longer sustainable to continue receiving people in the camps because many who were not affected are flocking to the camps,” Zulum stated.
He announced that a comprehensive assessment would be conducted in the affected communities to verify the actual number of victims and guide future interventions.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, praised the governor for his leadership in managing the disaster, while the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, highlighted NEMA’s ongoing efforts, including providing shelters and mobile water purifiers.
Governor Zulum acknowledged donations from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), aimed at supporting the relief efforts.
The event was attended by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, members of the House of Representatives, and the Borno State Executive Council.
