The Federal Ministry of Environment has mobilized a specialized team to assist with the aftermath of the disaster in Borno state North East Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziak Salako, who disclosed this at the Ministerial press briefing on the “Environmental Health Intervention on the 2024 Flooding” held in Abuja, said the move is to mitigate the negative impact of the flood in the state.
The Minister noted that the deployment is to caution against the wild spread of waterborne diseases caused by flooding and identify the sources of hazardous chemicals.
“In line with the presidential directives and in furtherance of the delivery of our Ministerial Mandates as part of the Key Priorities of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry has mobilized technical and material support to the People and Government of Borno State to mitigate the negative impact of the Flood.”
“A Team of experts ranging from Environmental Health Officers, Wildlife Conservationists, Pollution and Erosion Control Officers are being deployed to assist the Emergency Management Team in the collective amelioration of the situation.” He said.
Dr Salako said their immediate tasks involve continuous water sampling and testing, identifying sources of hazardous chemicals, and preventing waterborne diseases.
The Minister who also used the occasion to commission the resources that will be used by the environmental health practitioners in Borno state, said it is imperative to sound some caution to the People, Authorities and Stakeholders to be wary of Diseases such as Diarrhea, Cholera that may occur in an epidemic proportion arising from the use of Water already contaminated for cooking and drinking.
“Yet another group are Silicosis, Asbestosis, Asthma and Cancer which may prevail as a result of People’s exposure to Chemical Substances washed into Flood waters those impairing the Cardiopulmonary functions of the human system.”
“Furthermore, the Diseases and health conditions set out in the preceding paragraphs are premeditated by factors inherent with flood situations – contamination of water by Micro-organisms ranging from Bacteria and Viruses thus causing water-borne infections; Insect-borne Parasites like Plasmodium carried by House Flies that cause vector-borne infections which negatively affects the human health”
“Similarly, physical, chemical and psychological hazards abound post flooding episodes. Top soils are washed into water bodies such as rivers, streams and ponds thereby aggravating the overflow of the banks, open wells also receive their fair share. In the same manner, solid wastes and debris are also introduced into such water bodies thereby introducing chemical substances. Fertilizers, herbicides, and other agro allied products from flooded farmlands constitute chemical hazards which are introduced into water bodies as well,” the Minister said.
Dr. Salako highlighted the urgent requirement for collaboration between federal and state authorities to tackle the environmental challenges resulting from the floods.
“As part of the relief efforts, the Ministry has dispatched 100 drums of chlorine, each weighing 40 kg, to disinfect water sources and ensure safe drinking water for affected residents.”
“Additionally, 30,000 informational flyers will be distributed to raise public awareness about sanitation, hygiene practices, and proper waste disposal to help curb the spread of infections.” Salako said.
According to the Minister, “We sympathize with the victims spread all over the Nigerian Federation especially in the worst affected States of Borno, Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and Jigawa. as the Ministry responsible for protecting the Nigerian Environment, the Federal Ministry of Environment is concerned with the happenings before, during and aftermath of Extreme Weather Events and Emergency Situations not limited but including Flooding.
So far, over 1,000,000 people have been affected with another 1,000,000 displaced while nearly 300 people dead also leaving about 80,000 houses have been damaged in 176 Local Government Areas across 29 States of the Federation.
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