Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said heavy rains, climate change and carbon emissions were responsible for the floods that occurred in the state.
Governor Babagana Zelum He said the Alau dam that collapsed could not hold much rain because it is the rainy season.
In an interview with Arise TV, Professor Zulum said: “People don’t understand what has really happened. This year’s rainy season has been so intense that the Alau dam’s carrying capacity cannot hold the water. Nobody expected it, we have never seen such a volume of water.
“Besides this, what about the effects of climate change? Carbon emissions into the atmosphere, among others, are one of our own challenges. Ratification is also one of our own challenges.
““I cannot say that the government has done nothing, but the unfortunate situation is one of an intensity of rainfall that has never been seen before.”
Talking about how to address the humanitarian challenges of the victims of floods, Professor Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and federal government agencies for their interventions and support.
“As regards addressing immediate humanitarian assistance, it can be seen that the President has delegated the Vice President He came to Maiduguri with officials from NEMA, the Ministry of Agriculture and the NNPC and they brought a lot of food items, among others, for the government and the people of Borno State. So they did very well.
“And then after a few days we also received the President He himself came and also established what we call, Intervention fundrelief fund. All these things are done to improve the standard of living of displaced communities.
“In the meantime, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of the Environment are on site, an assessment has been initiated to study the possibility of establishing sustainable medium- and long-term solutions that will ensure the prevention of future incidents. And I believe that members of the National Assembly are also here.
“And most importantly, subnational governments, non-governmental organizations and United Nations organizations are here as well. Everyone involved in Nigeria, including the National Center for Disease Control, is here.
“The Nigerian military has done an excellent job, extremely good job, rescuing those who are trapped. And above all, the DSS and other paramilitaries have also done everything they can. And I think the government has done everything it can to alleviate the suffering.”
On the government’s plans to prevent a recurrence, the Borno State Governor explained that “In the coming months, the federal government will take decisive action that will ensure the river stops flooding. Alau Dam“.
