Former leader of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has expressed sympathy with the people and Government of Borno State, after a devastating flood submerged many homes and parts of the state capital, Maiduguri.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Ndume who represents Borno South, called on the Federal Government to immediately intervene by giving support to the State Government to the aid of affected residents
The State Government, had raised the alarm aver severe flood that submerged many homes following the alleged breakdown of Alau Dam that has been filled to capacity for the past one week.
“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,” a statement by the State Government had revealed.
Senator Ndume, who just returned from Borno, where he reached out to families affected by insurgenc in the Southern Senatorial District of the State, said he is devastated by the news report about the ravaging flood.
The former Senate Chief Whip said all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other agencies of government, to immediately mobilise and come to the aid of affected residents and homes in Maiduguri.
He said the State Government, being very proactive, has already activated all mechanisms to salvage the situation by evaluating people from affected areas and providing the needed support.
He, however, lamented that the gravity of the damage by the flooding is beyond the State Government, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and assist the residents in getting the needed support.
Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down. University of Maiduguri has been closed until further notice
The university management announced the temporary closure in a statement on Tuesday by its registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan, the institution, sympathised with staff members and students affected by the disaster.
Ndume said: “What has happened in my dear State capital, Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is very bad. I’ve been briefed, and what I’ve heard isn’t something we should take likely.
“Homes, institutions, government agencies, and other businesses have been submerged in the flood. Many people are trapped and are trying to evacuate. I’m worried that the situation may get worse unless the federal government immediately steps in to assist the state government in salvaging the situation.
“I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies, and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we’ll witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable.
“I’m in touch with my colleagues, the State Government, its officials, and other stakeholders on what we can do to solve the situation. I hope that in the future, we’ll be able to guide against this occurrence. This is a serious disaster, and we need the prayers and support of every Nigerian.”