President Bola Tinubu, on Monday after arriving from his China and UK trips, visited Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, to sympathise with the people of the state over the flood disaster, which destroyed properties and displaced thousands of people.
The presidential jet arrived the states airport at about 3:40 pm, he first of all visited one of the camps in the state to see how life looks for the displaced persons who have found a new temporary home. Whicle speaking with the displaced persons, the president assured them there will be a support for them as they stay in the camps. He noted that the government will provide help for the IDPs, the president disclosed the plans in a short speech.
Other individuals who were on the trip were the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kyari.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arrived at the state earlier at the Maiduguri Air Force Base to receive the President. The IGP was in the state to assess the level of destruction the flood had caused to the police facilities in the state capital.
The other senior government officials whonwere at the airport to welcome the president were the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed; the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo; and the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu.
The National Emergency Management Agency’s report disclosed that the flood started when the Alau Dam overflowed its banks following heavy rains. According to records, this was the worst flood incident the state has experienced in 30 years. The data was released by the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council and residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
In the incident assessment data released by NEMA after the flood, it was disclosed that 23,000 households were affected by the rapid rise of water following the weekend rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 km south of Maiduguri.
In the latest report the flood incident in the sate had reduced after 70 per cent of Maiduguri, the state capital was taken over by the water days ago.
The flood accorodng to reports destroyed major landmarks, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, the state secretariat, the post office, the cemetery, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. It was also reported that a significant number of prisoners escaped from the correctional centre after the centre was affected by the flood incident.
Another important area in that state that was affected was the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo. It was noted that 80 per cent of the animals were swept away by the flood. houses, schools, as well as commercial and worship centres were not left out of the destruction.
In an earlier statement released before his visit, the president expressed shock and deep concern over the incident and charged government officials in the state to deploy all efforts to rescue the citizens.
