The Federal Government has dispatched a team of experts to mitigate the effects of the recent flooding that devastated parts of Borno State.

This intervention follows former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s, call to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, urging him to demonstrate leadership and courage in addressing last week’s flood disaster.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has intensified efforts in response to the rising water levels in River Benue, following the opening of the Lagdo Dam and the 2024 flood forecast issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).

The Federal Government also announced that experts would conduct continuous water sampling and testing to identify sources of hazardous chemicals, while taking proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases in the state.

The recent flooding in Borno, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulted in significant devastation. More than 30 lives were lost, 23,000 homes were destroyed, and over 414,000 people were displaced. Critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, suffered severe damage. Approximately one million people have also lost their livelihoods.

In a statement released yesterday, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, disclosed that he led key ministry officials on a condolence visit to the state last Friday, aimed at addressing the environmental challenges arising from the disaster.

Lawal emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated response to tackle the environmental issues posed by the flood. He said, “During the condolence visit, I informed the Governor that the Federal Ministry of Environment would send a team of experts from relevant departments, agencies, and projects to collaborate with the Borno State Government in addressing the impacts of the flood.”

The minister outlined the deployment of experts from various departments, including Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Forestry, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-arid Landscape Programme, the Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project, the National Park Service, and the Environmental Health Council.

He said: “This team will carry out continuous water sampling and testing, identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and implement measures to prevent waterborne diseases. Additionally, the team will monitor water quality to detect contamination and take preventive steps to ensure public health and safety.”

All agencies under the Ministry operating in Borno have been directed to collaborate with the State Government to mitigate the effects of the disaster.

“So far, we have deployed 100 drums of 40kg chlorine to Borno State to disinfect water sources, ensuring access to safe drinking water and preventing diseases like cholera. In addition, we will distribute 30,000 flyers to raise awareness on best practices for sanitation and hygiene, such as proper waste disposal, frequent handwashing, and personal hygiene to reduce the spread of infections.”

The minister added that beyond the immediate response, the Ministry would work closely with the Borno State Government to develop comprehensive flood mitigation strategies and early warning systems to prevent future occurrences. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with international partners to enhance the state’s disaster risk management and climate adaptation capabilities.

Commending Governor Zulum for his swift response in mobilising resources and safeguarding affected communities, the minister expressed confidence that under the Governor’s leadership, Borno would recover from the disaster. He stated, “The resilience of Borno’s people will once again shine through, and together with the federal government, we will strengthen our resolve to build resilience against future environmental challenges.”