Preliminary site inspections will be carried out by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Borno State, North East Nigeria, to ensure that the impacted regions are thoroughly assessed in order to lessen the impact of the flood.
During a disinfection and chlorination exercise in Maiduguri, this was revealed by Mrs. Adeola Omotunde, Director II of Pollution Control and Environmental Health and Team Lead for the Ministry, with the goal of preventing water-borne infections in the state.
She reports that the group has chlorinated home water sources, fumigated to control vectors, and tested soil and water for chemical and faecal contamination.
The ministry's assistance included fumigating and completing the Bulabulin community to the Kalari village, which is situated behind the Shehu's Palace, and was one of the worst-hit communities.
"Similar to how the water submerged the area, including the Maiduguri central Mosque and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Office and the State secretariat, where official documents were badly affected," she added, adding that the drill had also taken place in the Palace and its surroundings.
Mrs. Omotunde went on to say that the group has been raising awareness and educating the public about the floods' negative impacts.
"So far, the citizenry has been trained on disease prevention measures, especially against cholera," she claims, "by the Ministry's experts drawn from the various professional departments and the traditional Environmental Health Officers, in addition to the fumigation exercise."
According to her, the ministry will also work on ways to strengthen the drainage system and reduce erosion.
The Alau Dam in Borno State's neighboring Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) collapsed on September 9, 2024, causing a catastrophic flood in Maiduguri. Heavy rainfall made the situation worse. Many homes have been forced to evacuate as a result of this tragedy, which has wreaked havoc on infrastructure, crops, and shelters.
"The affected population in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas exceeds 239,000." "She said," she muttered.
Similarly, the Ministry's Park Rangers have expertly restored the zoo's evacuated animals to their home after they were swept away in the flood in Maiduguri.
In response to the recent catastrophic floods in Borno State, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, sent a Response Team headed by Mrs. Omotunde to evaluate the situation and find ways to lessen the damage, with a focus on public health.
Thanks for reading: The Ministry Fumigates Communities Affected by the Borno Floods