By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Flood Disaster Committee led by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon Umar Usman Kadafur has presented relief materials to victims of flood disaster in Dikwa town.
Presenting the relief materials, the Deputy Governor said the items which were jointly provided by the Borno State Government and North East Development Commission (NEDC) are meant to serve as emergency support to the victims of the flood in the area, while stressing that other necessary permanent measures to address the problem of flood in the area would be mapped out by experts in due course.
Kadafur also assured the people that the state government is ever ready to address the problem of flooding in the state while disclosing that the committee has been directed to visit all the flood affected areas with a view to assess the situation and proffer lasting solution .
The deputy governor also led the committee members and Director General SEMA, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo on assessment tour of the flooded areas, conducted round by the Chairman, Dikwa Local Government Council, Hon. Modu Kunsama.
Kunsama informed them that most of the areas worst affected are farmlands, while expressing appreciation with the timely response by the state government to address flooding in the state.
The deputy governor and his entourage were also at the 81 Division Task Force Battalion Dikwa where the acting Commander, Major Oyemedan said the entire base has been overtaken over by flood, thereby making life very difficult for the soldiers and appealed for urgent solution to address the problem.
Major Oyemedan also appealed to the state government to consider providing the military with perimeter fencing of the military formation, adding that at the moment the area is vulnerable to dangerous animals like snakes and other insects.
However, the deputy governor assured them that the committee will look into the possibility of relocating the military formation in Dikwa to a better location as well as address all their problems.
The team was later at the Emir’s Palace to pay homage and seek for his blessings, where the Emir of Dikwa, His Royal Highness Mai Ibrahim ibn Umar Ibrahim El kanemi commended the State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum for setting such a powerful committee to address the problem of flooding in the state and have since swung into action.
Items presented include 1000 pieces of mats,1000 pieces of blankets and 2000 empty sacks with payloader and excavator as a primary intervention to assist the victims.
It would be recalled that the governor recently assigned the deputy governor to lead the flood disaster committee which was hitherto headed by the former State Attorney General/State Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan who is now APC Borno Central Senatorial Candidate to visit all flood affected areas and came up with recommendations for lasting solution’s and assistance to the victims.
