Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, of Borno state, on Thursday, conducted an on-site assessments of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and hospitals, that were severely damaged by the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
The flood, which struck on September 10, is considered the worst to hit Maiduguri in over 30 years, causing widespread destruction, isolating communities, and disrupting the movement of essential goods.
The governor’s inspection, as observed by our correspondent, covered vital areas such as Gwange Maternity Hospital, road networks, and key bridges in Fori, Moro-Moro, and Gwange.
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Governor Zulum expressed his concern over the extent of the damage, particularly blaming illegal structures built on riverbanks for obstructing the flow of water from the Ngada River.
Stressing that the quantum of the destruction is enormous, he said ,”We have just visited one site, and it is clear that houses built directly in the waterways blocked the passage of water. Had the water been able to flow freely to the lowlands, the main city might not have been affected.”
The governor pledged to take action to prevent future disasters by addressing the issue of structures built on waterways and ensuring proper flood management systems are in place.
