Mustapha Isah Kwaru
20 July 2008
Maiduguri — The flooding which ravaged almost all parts of Borno state last year, killing over 10 persons, was a natural disaster that occurred in virtually every state in the country. Whereas expectations were high that state governments would have adopted measures to prevent flooding this year, that appears not to be the case in Borno state as, already, some parts of Maiduguri, the capital, are being confronted with yet another threat of impending flood disaster.
The lack of drainages in many densely populated streets, dumping of refuse into drainages along major roads and high ways, as well as the lack of comprehensive water discharge outlets have remained a factor that leaves many areas, especially densely populated areas, as potential victims of flood disasters.
A survey across such areas as Dala, Bulunkutu, Gumari, Shuwari, Bolori, Gwange, Kululuri, Abuja Talakawa, and Polo, among others, showed that movements of individuals and vehicles usually become very difficult whenever it rains, as water takes over the roads and ruins residential houses. The problem has been causing people untold hardships, besides constituting a threat to public health.
Kanem Trust reports that Maiduguri metropolis has been experiencing perennial flood disasters which washed away houses and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, even as the problem appeared to have defied solutions. It was learnt that whenever it rained, flood took over houses while residents in some areas had to use canoes to evacuate their properties, while others usually abandoned their houses to relocate to other areas. It is feared that this year may witness a similar scenario.
A cross section of residents interviewed by Kanem Trust on the issue appealed to the government to urgently adopt prompt measures that would prevent flooding by embarking on massive drainage and road construction in the areas that are normally affected by the disaster.
Malam Ahmed Shettima, a resident of Bolori quarters, said: "We have been in this area for many years, but our major concern has been government's failure to control the flood that has been giving us sleepless nights during rainy season. We are fully aware that government awards a lot of contracts for various projects which range from road construction, water and electricity supply, among others, but we wonder why it has failed to accord drainage construction appropriate attention."
Another man at Bulunkutu, Zanna Mohammed, who was visibly apprehensive about the possible danger of flooding, said that residents of the area, especially those whose houses are close to the main roads, had nothing to discuss every day but the issue of flood. "We made series of appeals to the government on the need to give us a sense of belonging by constructing drainages and roads to end the flood, but up to this time there is virtually nothing to write home about. The problem is negatively affecting our socio-economic activities and threatening our lives as it is making us unable to do our business, in fact it can be described as environmental disaster", Mohammed said.
But another resident, Bukar Abdullahi, observed that although government was responsible for the construction of drainages and roads to control the floods so as ensure the protection of lives and properties, the general public had an important role to play in bringing a lasting solution to the problem. According to him, it was unwise for people to just rely on government to do everything for them. They should supplement government's efforts by embarking on communal self-help projects, he said.
"It is unfortunate that some unpatriotic elements in the society are indiscriminately building houses on the waterways. Flood disaster is beyond the control of government, people should contribute their quotas in controlling the problem by organising community based organisations that would embark on the construction of drainages", he said.
While hoping that no disaster would occur this year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it was prepared for all eventualities. The North-East co-ordinator of the agency, Fatima Usman, told newsmen that proper modalities were on ground to provide effective relief and rescue operations. She however argued that there was need for residents of the affected areas to take proactive measures against the disaster before it occurred, saying those that could be worst affected should relocate to avoid risking their lives.
In a bid to ensure adequate prompt relief delivery to the victims of the possible flood and other disasters in the state, the coordinator said, NEMA had organised sensitisation workshops for community-based volunteers to ensure effective disaster management at the grassroots.
When our correspondent visited the Borno State Ministry of Environment, the commissioner in charge of the ministry was said to have travelled for an official engagement and nobody was ready to speak on the matter. A senior official in the ministry who wanted his identity concealed disclosed that government had taken the issue of flood seriously and had consequently constituted a committee mandated to identify all areas prone to flooding and recommend possible solutions. The official blamed some people for contributing to the problem by failing to embark on volunteer work to construct drainages around their houses. According to him, government had started taking measures to control flood as a gutter was constructed around the Gamboru market area.
He dismissed as baseless claims that government did not accord appropriate attention to the construction of roads and drainages in the metropolis, and appealed to the general public to exercise patience and not panic as government would do everything possible to address the situation.
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