Sen. Banigo Sympathises With Borno Flood Victims, Seeks Further Intervention

The Chairman Senate Committee on Secondary and Tertiary Health, Sen. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has commiserated with victims of Borno flood disaster, noting that this 

recent devastating floods has disrupted socio-economic activities of the State.

The lawmaker who also applauded the FG intervention through the timely visit of VP Kashim Shetima noted that the flood continues to reveal the adverse effect of climate change.

While expressing satisfaction with the quick intervention of the state governor, Babagana Zulum to mitigate the impact, Sen Banigo applauded the relevant agencies of the federal government, especially National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as the military to ensure effective and adequate delivery of relief materials and palatives to affected places in Borno. 

In a statement on Tuesday by her media office, Sen. Banigo expressed worry that the already pressured Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in most communities in North-East, especially Borno will be affected from the impact of the flooding, urging that relevant health bodies should quickly intervene to checkmate the spread of water-borne diseases. 

The recent flooding in Borno submerged several residential homes, displacing tens of thousands of residents and causing zoo animals to escape into the streets.

According to authorities, about 30 people’s lives have been claimed by the Maiduguri flash flood, with over a million persons affected. UN puts the total number of displaced persons at 414,000.

The incident is said to have been caused by the collapse of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River in the State last week. 

Expressing concern over the health implications of the disaster, especially on women and children, Sen. Banigo said development could lead to escalation in the spread of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases, as well as heighten the rate of infant and maternal mortality, calling quicker preventive measures. 

"While I deeply sympathise with the victims of the disastrous flooding, I profoundly thank Governor Babagana Zulum for demonstrating leadership by ensuring safe evacuation of victims. 

"It is also my appeal that health agencies should mobilise to affected areas and provide the needed assistance so that health hazards of flooding will be brought to the barest minimum", she added.