Ex-Senate leader, Ndume seeks FG’S support for Maiduguri flood disaster victims

Former Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government for immediate intervention and support for victims of Borno State flood disaster.

He lamented that damages done to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital by the flood was already beyond the capacity of the state government, hence the need for the Federal Government to immediately step in and assist the residents in the needed support.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, canvassed that all hands must be on deck, including development partners and other agencies of government, to immediately mobilise and come to the rescue of the affected residents in Maiduguri.

The former Senate Chief Whip said although the state government had already been salvaging the ugly situation by evacuating people from affected areas and providing the needed support, there is still need for support from the federal government.

“Already, some institutions and government agencies have shut down. University of Maiduguri has been closed until further notice

“The university management announced the temporary closure in a statement by its Registrar, Ahmad A. Lawan in which the institution sympathised with staff members and students affected by the disaster,” Ndume stated.

“What has happened in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri is unfortunate. The level of damage is very bad. This is a serious disaster, and we need the prayers and support of every Nigerian.

“Homes, institutions, government agencies, and other businesses have been submerged in the flood. Many people are trapped and are trying to evacuate.

“I’m worried that the situation may get worse unless the federal government immediately steps in to assist the state government in salvaging the situation.

“I’m also calling on various international partners, development agencies, and men of goodwill to do something urgent before we’ll witness the kind of human disaster in Maiduguri that will be unimaginable,” he added.

The Borno state government had on Tuesday, announced that the flood had submerged many homes following the collapse of Alau Dam having been filled with water to capacity in the past one week.

The government also directed all the residents living along the river bank to immediately find their ways to safe areas to protect themselves and their properties from the flood.