Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on the federal government to dredge communities affected by recent flooding in Borno State to ease the water flow and facilitate the rescue of residents trapped by the disaster.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 16, in Abuja, Ndume expressed concern that many residents remain stranded in their communities, days after the flooding caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, the state capital, last Tuesday. The disaster claimed lives, displaced many, and submerged homes and farmlands.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved N3 billion as an intervention fund to mitigate the effects of the flood. However, Ndume emphasized that immediate action is needed, noting that several residents have been trapped in their homes for nearly a week.
The senator, who personally donated N50 million to support flood victims, stated: “We really need to help make sure that people do not continue to suffer. Some of them have been in their houses for the last six days.”
Ndume’s donation followed a resolution by leaders from the Borno South senatorial zone to raise funds for the affected communities.
He said;
“What the federal government needs to do is to come and do the survey and get dredging equipment and get to the discharge of the Alau Dam and try to excavate the water way out so that the water can flow and go otherwise the aftermath will be more disastrous.
“Most buildings that were submerged are not strong, and if they continue to stay in water, they will collapse. Most people trapped in their communities are still there because it is only boats that the Nigerian military, other security agencies, and the state government are using to rescue people there.
“I am using this opportunity to move a motion since we are on recess for the federal government to intensify action against the plight of the victims of the insurgency.”
