By Faridat Salifu
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The Federal Government through the Ministry of the Environment, has pledged unflinching support to Borno State in the aftermath of the devastating floods that ravaged Maiduguri metropolis and other areas.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to Governor Prof. Umara Zulum at weekend for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
The minister said a joint efforts between the Federal Ministry of Environment, Borno State Government, and donor organisations will focus on several critical areas.
According to the minister, the focus of the ministry is to quickly restore hospitals, schools, and markets that have been submerged.
In addition, the focus will be on addressing infrastructure damage, particularly collapsed bridges and containing the contamination of water bodies due to damaged sewerage systems and hazardous materials from flooded factories and hospitals.
Also, the joint efforts focused on continuing the evacuation of residents from high-risk areas, providing essential supplies such as shelter, clean water, and food, and prevention of disease outbreaks in evacuation camps.
The minister emphasised the need for urgent measures, particularly in preventing waterborne diseases resulting from decomposed bodies of animals and humans, as well as damaged sewage lines.
He added that continuous water sampling and testing are already underway, and studies will be conducted to identify the causes of the flooding and prevent future occurrences.
“The Ministry is committed to mobilising all necessary resources and technical support to help Borno State tackle the environmental challenges posed by the flood,” Lawal said.
Responding, Governor Zulum thanked the minister for visiting during such a difficult time, stressing the importance of working together on both medium- and long-term solutions to make the state more resilient to climate change.
He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts in conserving the ecosystem, rehabilitating riverbanks, and studying the root causes of the floods.
Zulum also raised concerns over elephants destroying farmlands as they migrate from flooded habitats, urging support from ACReSAL to manage the situation in compliance with international wildlife conventions.
The minister was accompanied by top government officials from various agencies under his ministry’s supervision. He assured the state of federal assistance in managing the immediate effects of the disaster and ensuring long-term resilience against climate change and environmental hazards.
The team comprises experts from the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), NEWMAP, and the National Park Service (NPC).
