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What You Should Know About Maiduguri Flood

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Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was hit by severe floods with the collapse of the Alau Dam Tuesday morning after torrential rainfalls in the region.

Below is a list of what we know about the flood

Alau Dam

The Alau Dam which is located in the Jere Local Government Area, some 20km away from the metropolis, broke out on Tuesday morning causing flooding along the riverine areas including major roads, zoos, schools, hospitals and other public facilities.

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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, blamed the flood on the overflow of Alau Dam which was caused by the release of water from other dams in Cameroon.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has described the flood as unprecedented.

“It is an unprecedented incident,” NEMA spokesman Ezekiel Manzo told AFP on Tuesday. “Some of the central parts of the city that have not witnessed flood in so many years are witnessing it today.”

History Repeating Itself?

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30 years ago, Maiduguri experienced a flood which the people of Borno tagged “Ambaliya”. The flood ravaged a lot of communities and businesses. And 30 years after, another flood rocked the state as a result of explosion from the Alau dam.

But this time around, the United Nations Human Rights Refugee Council (UNHCR) and residents of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) described the flood as the city’s worst experience when compared to the flood that swept the city in 1994.

“NE Nigeria’s humanitarian hub, Maiduguri, faces its worst flood in 30 years after the Alau Dam overflowed. Homes are submerged, schools shut down & businesses crippled as people evacuate with their belongings,” the refugee council said on its X handle.

Over One Million Displaced

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According to the governor, over one million people have been displaced by the devastating floods.

A lot of these people have had to flee their homes to dry lands thus seeking refuge in Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Camps located along the western hemisphere of the metropolis.

NEMA and other humanitarian bodies are working tirelessly to rescue those who are still trapped in their homes as well as provide shelter for those who have been evacuated.

80% Animals Dead

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The Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park was also not spared from the floods as some wild animals have escaped from captivity.

According to the General Manager of the Zoo, Ali Abatcha, 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo have been killed by the flood while others have escaped into the city.

Footage circulating on social media shows an ostrich walking one of the streets of Maiduguri. There are reports that snakes and crocodiles have also been seen moving in the flood.

Over 280 Inmates Escape Detention

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Over 280 inmates have escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre located in the Abaganaran area after severe flooding submerged the prison. The flood breached security barriers and weakened the structure leading to a jailbreak.

Authorities and residents have expressed concern that many of the escapees are highly dangerous thus posing a threat to public safety.

Nevertheless, a statement from the spokesman for the service, Umar Abubakar, disclosed that the federal government is working to evacuate the correctional centre.

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Brain Drain, Infrastructure, Resource Allocation Challenges Of Health Sector – Reps

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has highlighted the detrimental impact of the mass migration of health workers from Nigeria, describing it as a major challenge to the country’s healthcare system.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions,  Rep. Amos Magaji, stated this during a public hearing on 16 bills aimed at establishing various health institutions, on Thursday in Abuja.
Rep. Magaji underscored the need for better distribution of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, to address population growth and healthcare gaps.
He noted, “Recently, there has been an enormous migration of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in search of ‘greener pastures,’ leaving Nigeria’s health sector severely understaffed. To improve the sector, we must invest in human resources, medical intelligence, and the administrative appointment of capable persons based on merit.”
The Chairman also brought to light the infrastructural deficiencies in healthcare institutions across the country, citing inadequate funding, lack of maintenance, and insufficient equipment as recurring issues.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, in his submission warned against the duplication of health institutions, and stated that such efforts would strain the already scarce resources.
He explained, “Existing Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centers in Nigeria, including those in the North West, already provide cardiovascular care and related services. Establishing a new institute would add financial burden without addressing the core issues.”
Pate also acknowledged the migration of health workers and the need for a stronger workforce to handle emerging health challenges.
“The Federal Ministry of Health supports the establishment of new institutions but insists on considering geographical spread, population density, and disease burden in proposed locations,” he added.
The hearing emphasised the need for balanced development in the healthcare sector, adequate funding for existing institutions, and policies to retain health professionals in Nigeria.
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Access Bank (UK) Limited to Acquire AfrAsia Bank Limited

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By Gloria Ikibah
Access Holdings PLC has announced that its subsidiary, The Access Bank UK Limited (“Access UK”), has signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in AfrAsia Bank Limited, the third-largest bank in Mauritius by total assets.
Mauritius, known for its strong financial sector, which contributes 13.4 per cent to its GDP, offers Access UK a strategic base to grow its personal and corporate banking services.
This was contained in a statement by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, made available to Naijablitznews.com on Thursday.
According to Ekwochi, the acquisition will also position Mauritius as a hub for Access Bank’s trade finance operations, enhancing its ability to manage cross-border transactions across Africa and internationally.
AfrAsia Bank, as of June 30, 2024, reported total assets of over $5.7 billion and a net profit after tax of $152.4 million, underlining its solid financial position.
**Key statements on the acquisition:**
– Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, speaking on the acquisition said:  “This acquisition is a crucial step in our African growth strategy, strengthening our position as a top Pan-African financial institution. Mauritius’ role as a financial hub aligns with our vision to unlock opportunities that drive trade, support businesses, and promote economic inclusion across the region.”
Also Managing Director of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, stated: “AfrAsia Bank’s strong balance sheet and established brand in Mauritius give us a solid platform for sustainable growth. This deal supports our strategy to diversify earnings and provide clients with seamless access to global markets.”
Access Bank UK aims to promote sustainable growth, deliver innovative financial solutions, and support trade between Africa and the world.
The acquisition process will be finalized in the coming months, with updates provided as needed.
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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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