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Udeze Ekene
Guest
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has said heavy rain, climate change and carbon emissions were responsible for the flood incident that occurred in the state.
Governor Babagana Zulum said the Alau Dam that collapsed could not contain too much rainfall because it is raining season.
In an interview with Arise TV, Professor Zulum said, “People do not understand what has really happened. This year’s rainy season, rain is so huge in such a way that the carrying capacity of the Alau Dam cannot contain the water. So nobody expects, we have never seen such a volume of water.
“Then in addition to this one, what about the effects of climate change? Emission of carbon into the atmosphere amongst others are some of our own challenges. The ratification is also some of our own challenges.
“So I cannot exactly say that government has not been doing anything, but rather the unfortunate situation is that of high rainfall intensity that has never been witnessed.”
Speaking on addressing the humanitarian challenges of the flood victims, Professor Zulum praised President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and federal government agencies for their interventions and support.
“While in terms of addressing the immediate humanitarian assistance, you can see the President has delegated the Vice President to come to Maiduguri. He came in with NEMA officials, with Ministry for Agriculture, NNPC, they brought a huge amount of food items amongst others to the government and people of Borno State. So they have done very well.
“And then after some few days, we also received the President himself. He came and he also established what we call, intervention fund, relief fund. So all these things are done in order to uplift the standard of living of the displaced communities.
“While the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Environment are on ground, assessment has begun in order to look into the possibility of establishing medium and longer-term sustainable solutions that will ensure the prevention of future occurrences. And I believe the members of the National Assembly are also here.
“And most importantly, the sub-nationals are also here, the non-governmental organizations are also here, UN organizations are also here. All those that are concerned in Nigeria, including the National Center for Disease Control are here.
“The Nigerian military has done very well, extremely well in rescuing those that are trapped. And most especially the DSS and other paramilitary have also done their best. And I think government has done their best in order to alleviate the suffering.”
On plans of the government to avoid further occurrence, the Borno State Governor explained that “in the next few months to come, federal government will take a decisive action that will ensure stoppage of the overflow of the Alau Dam“.
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