Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced that the Federal Government has allocated ₦3 billion to address the recent severe flooding in the state. This financial aid is intended to help manage the impact of the floods, which have displaced over one million people in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Governor Zulum provided more details on the flood response during a visit to the Bakassi IDP camp on the Biu-Damboa road in Maiduguri, where he also made a financial contribution. He outlined plans to distribute food and essential supplies to the displaced individuals, with vendors arranged to provide meals at the camp.
For long-term management, the governor stated that a health committee will be formed to monitor and address potential disease outbreaks linked to the flooding. Search and rescue operations are underway to assess the extent of the damage and gather information on those affected.
The governor explained that the flooding was largely due to this year’s heavy rainfall. He noted that urban development in Maiduguri has blocked natural water channels, disrupting water flow. Additionally, the overflow of the Alo Dam, combined with water releases from dams in Cameroon, worsened the situation.
To mitigate future flooding, Governor Zulum plans to rebuild the Alo Dam to enhance its capacity and remove structures from flood-prone areas.
