Joel Ajayi
Following the massive flood that ravaged many parts of Borno State, the North East Development Commission NEDC has promised to collaborate with relevant Government Agencies to provide immediate relief assistance to victims of the disaster.
This follows an assessment tour of areas affected by the disaster by the Management team of the Commission headed by the Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali.
The team visited some areas within Maiduguri, the State Capital where they sympathized with the victims and pledged immediate humanitarian support and assistance to the victims.
As an interim measure, the Commission will liase with the State Government as well as NEMA to provide temporary relief to victims pending a full investigation and assessment of the situation
The MD/CEO described the incident as unfortunate and advised residents of flood-prone areas to exercise great caution and avoid such areas for their safety.
Just on Tuesday morning, thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced, the majority of whom are women and children.
Major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area have been submerged by floodwaters.
Several shop owners and small-scale businesses are also affected by the flood.
Touring across safer areas within Maiduguri, thousands of women and children are relocating along with their belongings.
Many of them are seen taking refuge under trees at the major roads.
Apart from large volume rainfall being experienced this year, the flood, according to multiple sources, is a result of leakage of the bank of Alo Dam, a major source of water supply to Maiduguri which draws its source from River Ngadda in Cameroon and the Lake Chad.
