From Aidoghie Paulinus, Godwin Tsa, Abuja and Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
There is growing concern over shortage of foodstuff and other commodities in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as thousands of residents struggle for survival in the aftermath of a devastating flood, which submerged major markets, including grain, fruit and vegetable depots in the town. Many shopping complexes and plazas continue to remain closed three days after.
Seventy percent of Maiduguri was reportedly submerged by the fast-moving waters from Alau Dam, which overflowed following torrential rainfall, while the flood also ravaged other major areas, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the state secretariat, post office, cemetery, Lagos area, Bulabulin, Gwange, Monday Market, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Kofar Shehu, among other locations.
The development had led to shortage of food items, making the prices of the few available ones to soar .
“It is difficult to find foodstuffs as all major markets are submerged. I can’t operate my restaurant in spite of the pressure from customers because the foodstuff I stocked has been exhausted,” Hajara Mohammed said.
Other food vendors, who attended to customers the previous day, including Amina Isa, Rhoda Abdullahi and Jummai Mohammed, said their stocks had also been exhausted and there was nowhere to restock.
The health sector was also affected as a result of the flood that submerged the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital.
Already, some residents have started showing concern over possible public health crises, including outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other water borne diseases.
They specifically expressed worry over the flood that washed away corpses at the Maiduguri cemetery.
Governor Babagana Zulum had gone round some emergency camps to distribute cash to displaced persons as they await the arrival of foodstuffs.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, in a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commiserated with the Government of Borno State and the affected communities.
“This tragedy has destroyed properties, homes, and critical infrastructure, as well as displaced families and disrupted the livelihoods of countless individuals. We share the profound grief and suffering of all those affected by this catastrophe.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, especially those who have lost their means of livelihood and homes. We stand with the families who have been displaced and deeply empathise with their pain and distress during this trying time.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), is acutely aware of the magnitude of the challenges posed by this disaster. He has since directed all the relevant ministries and agencies to collaborate with the Borno State Government in mobilising the necessary resources to provide urgent relief and assistance to those affected by the unfortunate incident.
“While we mourn the losses, the federal government reposes confidence in the strength and resilience of the people of Borno State, which have been demonstrated over the years. We do not doubt that, with the assistance of the government and the people of Nigeria, they will overcome this tragedy,” FG said.
• Presidency, NASS design strategies to support victims
The Presidency and the National Assembly have designed strategies to bring succour to the victims.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said this while briefing newsmen shortly after he commiserated with the Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
“We have also designed some strategies and solutions by both the National Assembly and the Presidency to implement in the next few days to bring succour to the victims of the flood in Maiduguri,” he said.
Abbas expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Zulum to ensure judicious distribution of the Federal Government’s N3 billion intervention to the victims of the disaster.
“The Governor of Borno State is known for transparency. I am absolutely sure that whatever will be provided for them from the Presidency will be judiciously distributed, so I have no fear about that,” he said.
Abbas said apart from Borno, the Federal Government had also extended palliatives to other states affected by the flood.
“Like my own state, Kaduna, had similar flood incidents a few weeks ago, and we have taken measures to also address that by giving palliatives. We have also reached out to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and advised them to also assist the victims there. We are also making efforts with the Governor of Niger State to see what we can do by the NASS to help, and also, all the other states that are affected. We will do what we can to help,” he said.
•Marwa commiserates with Zulum, Shehu, residents
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and former Military Governor of the old Borno State, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa, in his condolence message to Governor Zulum, empathised with him, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanem, victims and residents over the natural disaster.
“I would like to assure Governor Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, the victims, and indeed, the good people of Borno State that they are not alone at this difficult time. Our prayers and sympathies are with them as we continue to pray that the flood will recede quickly and the people will return to their daily life and activities.”
He expressed sincere respect for the officials of federal and state emergency agencies, NGOs and well-spirited individuals, who are providing support, relief and rescue efforts on the ground in the affected communities in the state.
•NEDC begins aid support to victims at IDP camps
Borno State Government and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) have rolled out massive food and non-food aid to thousands of people displaced by the heavy flooding in Maiduguri.
Governor Babagana Zulum who personally supervised the distribution of money to the displaced persons at the reopened Bakassi Camp yesterday, said each head of the affected household received N10,000 for immediate use.
“We are distributing N10,000 to the head of each of the families. We shall also support them with food items,” Zulum announced at the camp.
He said the state recently received N3 billion flood support from the Federal Government, assuring that it would use it to address the devastation caused by Tuesday’s heavy flooding.
He said the government would constitute a health team to prepare response to possible health emergencies which may arise after the water recedes.
Managing Director of NEDC, Dr Mohammed Alkali, also announced the release of 200,000 bags of rice, 50,000 cartoons of cooking oil, 200,000 blankets, 55,000 kiddies’ wears and clothing for men and women, among others.
He said the commission would use the data provided by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
“Ours is intervention, to support states in the North East to overcome all these humanitarian problems,” Alkali said at a news briefing yesterday.
He said the NEDC had taken up reconstruction of bridges in Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi and Adamawa states
