The Federal Ministry of Environment says it will continue to conduct thorough assessments of affected areas through preliminary visits across Borno State North East Nigeria to mitigate the aftermath of the flood.
Director II, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, who also doubles as Team Lead for the Ministry, Mrs. Adeola Omotunde stated this at the disinfection and chlorination exercise held Maiduguri aimed at preventing water-borne diseases in the state.
She says the team so far has carried out samples and analysed water and soil for chemical and faecal contamination, carrying out fumigation for vector control and chlorinate household water sources.
“Among the worst hit communities, the ministry’s intervention took place with the “Fumigation and completion of Bulabulin community to Kalari community, located behind the Shehu’s Palace.”
“Similarly, the exercise also took place in the Palace and its surroundings because the water submerged the area, including the Maiduguri central Mosque and Maiduguri Metropolitan Office and the State secretariat where official documents were badly elaffected” she said.
Mrs Omotunde further stressed that the team has been educating and sensitizing the public about the harmful effects of the floods.
According to her, “the Ministry’s experts drawn from the various professional departments and the traditional Environmental Health Officers, in addition to the fumigation exercise, have so far trained the citizenry on disease prevention measures, especially against cholera.”
She said that the minstry would also develop and implement strategies for erosion control and improve the drainage system.
“On September 9, 2024, Maiduguri suffered a devastating flood due to the collapse of the Alau Dam in neighbouring Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, exacerbated by heavy rainfall. This disaster has severely impacted livelihoods, displacing numerous households and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, crops, and shelters Flood Impact Highlights.”
“Over 239,000 people affected in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere LGAs.” She said.
Similarly, the Ministry through the Park Rangers has professionally recaptured and returned displaced animals displaced by the flood from the Maiduguri zoo to it abode.
The Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal had constituted and deployed a Response Team led by Mrs Omotunde to Borno State to assess and mitigate the impact of the recent devastating floods, particularly public health concerns.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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