Governor Zulum during the assessment visit on Thursday
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State has conducted an assessment of some vital infrastructure including roads, bridges and hospitals damaged by the flood disaster that struck Maiduguri Metropolis and environs.
The devastating September 10 flood, described as the worst seen in Maiduguri in over three decades, has caused damages, isolated communities and hindered the movement of essential goods.
A statement from the Government House Press Unit said the governor during the assessment visited key areas such as Gwange maternity, road networks as well as Fori, Moro-Moro and Gwange bridges.
Zulum, while lamenting the destruction caused by the flooding, pointed out that the houses built on the river banks obstructed the passage of water from river Ngada.
“The quantum of the destruction was enormous, you can see we had just visited one place. It is very unfortunate that some people choose to build houses right inside the waterways which obstruct the water passage. Otherwise, the water could have passed onto the lowland without affecting the main city,” Zulum said.
In another development, the Borno State Flood Relief Committee has engaged 50 NYSC members to facilitate its ongoing verification exercise of victims of the flood disaster for relief distribution.
A statement from the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee said the corps members are undergoing training sessions to be familiarized with the procedures of the verification exercise.
Chairman of the Committee, Engr Baba Bukar Gujbawu while flagging off the training emphasized the importance of commitment and dedication to the task at hand.
He affirmed that the Committee is determined to conduct thorough and professional work as mandated by Governor Babagana Zulum, within the established timeframe.
“I want to urge you to take this assignment very seriously, you are selected based on merit, what we want is credible work and anything short of that will not be acceptable” Gujbawu said.
In a training session, Co-chair of the Committee Professor Ibrahim Umara, characterized the verification task as both humanitarian and challenging.
He advised the participants to refuse any form of gratification, assuring them that adequate security measures are in place for their safety.
Prof. Umara noted that the Committee still has more than fifteen wards to cover, underscoring the necessity of engaging additional personnel to expedite the process while maintaining high standards.
“We have many wards in Maiduguri such as Gamboru, Bulabulin, Gwange 2, Gwange 3 as well Fori, Galtimari, Old Maiduguri and other affected areas. So we need the Corpers who already mobilize to help fast track the process” Umara stated.
The corps members seek clarification in areas of tenants/landlords, multiple households, categories of destruction during the exercise.
