More than one million people have been displaced by devastating floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum confirmed on Wednesday.
During a visit to the Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp along Biu-Damboa road, where many flood victims have sought refuge, Zulum announced that the state government would provide cash assistance, food supplies, and other essentials.
He also revealed that vendors have been contracted to feed the displaced persons within the camp.
Zulum disclosed that the Federal Government has provided a ₦3 billion flood intervention fund, which will be used to address the challenges caused by the disaster.
In addition, a health committee will be established to monitor and prevent potential disease outbreaks in the affected areas.
The governor assured that search and rescue efforts are underway to assess the number of casualties, and data collation is being conducted to document those impacted by the floods.
Zulum attributed the flooding to the unusually heavy terrestrial rainfall witnessed this year, as well as urban development that has blocked water channels across the state capital.
He also pointed to the overflow of the Alo Dam, exacerbated by the release of water from dams in Cameroon.
To prevent future disasters, Zulum announced plans to reconstruct the Alo Dam to accommodate more water. He also emphasized that structures built on riverbanks and other flood-prone areas will be demolished to mitigate future risks.
