Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has urgently called on the World Bank for increased support to address the devastating aftermath of recent floods and to accelerate the state’s recovery process. Zulum made this plea during a courtesy visit by the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Highlighting the severe impact of the September 10 floods, Governor Zulum described how the disaster had destroyed vital infrastructure, blocked essential waterways, and heavily damaged farmlands. He emphasized the need for immediate interventions, including the reconstruction of damaged bridges and the dredging of the heavily silted Alau Dam. Zulum underscored that without comprehensive dredging efforts, the region would continue to face recurring challenges.
“Flooding has significantly impacted our farmers, and without proper desilting equipment, we cannot prevent future disasters,” the governor stated.
In addition to the flooding crisis, Governor Zulum also addressed the extensive destruction caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, which has resulted in infrastructure losses exceeding $6 billion in Borno State alone. He pointed out that of the $6.9 billion in total losses across Northeast Nigeria, Borno accounts for about two-thirds.
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Governor Zulum praised the World Bank’s contributions through various initiatives such as the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL), and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP). He also appealed for continued support, particularly for the South Chad Irrigation Scheme, which aims to revitalize the state’s agricultural sector and bolster food security and economic recovery.
In response, Dr. Ndiame Diop commended Borno’s government for its efforts in education, post-insurgency recovery, and technical education. He assured the governor that the World Bank would continue to provide support, particularly in health, agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives.
“We have seen notable progress in infrastructure rehabilitation and the empowerment of vulnerable groups through programs like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA),” Dr. Diop said, affirming the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Borno’s long-term recovery and development.
This continued partnership signals hope for Borno as it works toward rebuilding and strengthening its infrastructure, economy, and agricultural capacity in the wake of these immense challenges.
