Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited Ngala Local Government Area on Sunday to assess the widespread destruction caused by flooding in the region. Gamboru Ngala, a market town on the shores of Lake Chad near the Cameroon-Nigeria border, was severely impacted, with many areas submerged due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Zulum, who traveled to Ngala on Saturday and spent the night in the affected community, expressed sympathy for the victims. He also distributed relief items to those cut off by the floods, which had isolated the town for nearly four months.
During his visit, the governor highlighted the severity of the situation. “Gamboru Ngala, the headquarters of Ngala Local Government, was cut off from the rest of the country for about four months due to this year’s floods and heavy rainfall,” he stated. “We are here to assess the extent of the damage and explore how to support the victims.”
Zulum also emphasized the need for better planning, urging residents to avoid building houses on waterways. “A large part of the town is submerged, and the situation is very concerning. Both the federal and state governments will explore ways to support the community. However, we must address the underlying issues, such as inappropriate settlement along flood-prone areas.”
In addition to distributing food items donated by the federal government, the governor assured that both immediate and long-term solutions would be implemented to prevent future flooding. “The town’s isolation has disrupted food supplies, so we are providing essential aid during our visit. We will also look into measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Governor Zulum was accompanied by several key figures, including House of Representatives member Engr. Bukar Talba, Ngala’s House of Assembly representative Alhaji Bukar Abatcha, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele. Other officials on the trip included former House of Assembly member Bukar Mustapha Dalatu and Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
