By Gloria Ikibah
A Nigerian representative at the ECOWAS Parliament has urged the regional body to assist Borno State, in Northeast Nigeria, following devastating floods that recently hit the area.
Hon. Zainab Gimba who made this appeal during a press conference at the ECOWAS Parliament’s 2024 Third Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar in Lome, Togo, emphasized the damage to Borno’s economy, which is being severely impacted by the floods.
“Borno State is the fifth largest non-oil and gas economy in Nigeria with an estimated gross product of £5.175 billion. The floods have badly affected trade and commerce, and it’s important that the ECOWAS Parliament takes notice,” Gimba said.
Borno, historically a major trading hub connecting West, Central, and East Africa, continues to suffer economically from the floods, which have caused widespread misery.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the disaster started on September 10, 2024, when the Alau Dam burst, flooding Maiduguri, the state capital, and other areas. Before then, heavy rains had already caused severe flooding in parts of Borno, making roads impassable and submerging homes.
Gimba noted that the floods displaced over 2 million households, with hundreds of deaths and thousands losing their homes and livelihoods.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the region was already struggling with food insecurity due to years of terrorism and violent extremism.
During Wednesday’s session, Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima oversaw a presentation by the Secretary General, Bertin Som on the significance and objectives of ECOWAS, which was established in 1975.
The presentation emphasized ECOWAS’ goal of economic integration and its expanded role in addressing regional political and security issues.
Other presentations included one by Director of External Relations at the ECOWAS Commission, Jerome Boa, on the functions of the ECOWAS organs, and another on ECOWAS institutions and specialized agencies.
The Acting Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research, Kabeer Garba, also discussed the programs and activities of the ECOWAS Parliament, sparking lively discussions among participants.