By Okafor Joseph Afam – September 11, 2024

A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has revealed that more than 239,000 people have been affected by recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State. The devastating flood has been described as the worst the state capital has seen in over three decades.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, during an on-the-spot assessment on Tuesday, labeled the disaster as the most catastrophic flooding event in Maiduguri’s recent history. He further acknowledged that the impact of the flood exceeded expectations, but reassured the affected communities that the federal government would step in with relief efforts.

The floods, which were caused by water from the Alau Dam, engulfed several buildings, submerging roads and bridges, displacing thousands of residents. While the water has started to recede, allowing some displaced residents to return home, many still remain stranded in makeshift camps.

Federal Government Intervention

In response to the disaster, President Bola Tinubu directed Vice President Shettima to visit Maiduguri to assess the scale of the damage and offer support to the flood victims. Upon his arrival, Shettima was received by Governor Babagana Zulum, who accompanied him to the Shehu of Borno’s palace, which was also inundated by the floodwaters.

The Vice President then proceeded to Bakassi Camp, a temporary shelter housing thousands of displaced individuals. During his visit, Shettima announced that the federal government would send 50 trucks of rice to support the flood victims. He also assured that efforts would be made in collaboration with the North East Development Commission and other relevant agencies to ensure the victims would not remain in the camp for more than two weeks.

Climate Change and Future Challenges

Vice President Shettima warned that the scale of the flood highlights the growing threat posed by climate change, especially to vulnerable regions like Nigeria’s North East. He compared the current situation to previous floods in the country, such as the disasters of 2012, 2018, and 2022, which left similar trails of destruction in their wake.

“Nigeria’s vulnerability to floods has been laid bare time and again,” Shettima noted, citing the need for a more robust, long-term strategy to mitigate the impacts of future disasters. He further stated that President Tinubu’s administration had developed a comprehensive roadmap aimed at tackling the root causes of these recurring floods and ensuring better preparedness for future crises.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Vice President Shettima expressed optimism that, with coordinated efforts from the federal government and humanitarian agencies, the affected communities would soon rebuild and recover from this catastrophic event.