* Delivers 50 trucks of rice to state for distribution
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited the flood victims in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere, and announced that 50 trucks of rice were underway to the state for distribution.
The vice president, who stated this at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, said the visit was at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The president has given assurance that the federal government would stand firmly behind Borno State toward ameliorating the pitiable condition of our people.
“We are talking to the organised private sector to further reinforce the efforts of Borno State because honestly, Your Eminence, the tragedy that we have seen is way beyond the capacity of Borno State alone to shoulder.
“Be rest assured that, Insha Allah, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to support the governor to address the needs of the people”, he said.
VP Shettima assured Nigerians that the government was working hard to address all challenges confronting the nation.
Nigeria's VP #Shettima has visited #Maiduguri to sympathise with people of #Borno over #flood #disaster
Allāhumma innī as'aluka khayrahā, wa khayra mā fīhā, wa khayra mā ursilat bih, wa a`ūdhu bika min sharrihā, wa sharri mā fīhā, wa sharri mā ursilat bih. Ameen#MaiduguriFlood pic.twitter.com/t06HnJHQqR
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) September 11, 2024
“The problem of flood is not peculiar to one part of the country; we are facing these challenges right from Bayelsa to Sokoto. Be rest assured that the president has the nation at heart and he will do whatever it takes to salvage the state of affairs,” he said.
In his response, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi, said the flood was an act of God, but that the government should invite experts to advise on what to do to avoid a repeat.
“It is history repeating itself. Exactly in September 1994, same incident like this happened, and people seriously suffered and now another one after 30 years.
“But, this one is worse than the one we witnessed in 1994. Your Excellency, my appeal is that, something has to be done by inviting professionals to advise the government appropriately so that our people would not suffer again.
He appreciated the vice president for the visit and described the situation as devastating, especially at a time when people in the city were about to harvest their farmlands and bring home their produce.
‘Why Borno experienced worst flooding in 30yrs’
The collapse of Alau Dam, which was said to have been filled to capacity for the past one week, was the cause of yesterday’s flood in Borno State.
O Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining and the All-Sustaining, by Your mercy we seek help; intervene in all the affairs of the people of Maiduguri & other flood-affected towns and do not leave them in charge of their affairs even for the blink of an eye. O Allah, be… pic.twitter.com/L9vusi4g0K
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) September 11, 2024
A statement in the early hours of Tuesday by Professor Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, titled ‘Flooding Alert for River Bank Residents’, called for immediate evacuation.
He said, “Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms and the water is heading toward the river bank”, he said. Tar also urged the residents of the affected areas to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.
In separate statements, yesterday, some civil society organisations (CSOs) described the situation as “very pathetic”.
The chairman of CSOs, Lake-Chad Basin, Ahmed Shehu, said the fate of the animals that escaped from Shehu Sanda Kyarimi Park, a popular zoo in Maiduguri, was yet to be determined.
“The zoo road is flooded with water and it is gushing toward the College of Health Technology, Maiduguri, where students from were already relocated to school of nursing. Also, the water is heading towards the Commissioner of Police junction through Damboa Road.
“The situation is so dire. The water flooded the zoo at midnight. Though no one can tell the situation of the animals but definitely they will scamper for safety and in the process cause harm to the community.
“It is the same water route that displaced people are taking, that the animals will take too.
“Aside from wild animals escaping from the zoo, the Christian cemetery around Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda house in the Old GRA has been submerged. This poses a serious public health threat. Government needs to activate emergency response,” he stated.
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