Business has come to a virtual standstill as floodwater disrupts movement between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, leaving commuters and traders in the lurch.

Almost two weeks after a devastating flood hit Maiduguri and its environs, a flash flood has washed away sections of the Ajiri-Dikwa and Dikwa-Maiduguri roads, disrupting movement between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon.

The affected area, known as Bakassi, is along the Maiduguri-Dikwa Road, about 5km from Dikwa Town in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The deluge came weeks after floods washed away sections of the Madagali-Gwoza and Maiduguri-Damboa roads, further compounding transport challenges in the state in Nigeria’s northeast.

Large tracts of farmland and produce have also been destroyed and washed away in the floodwater.

Borno state is an international trade gateway with federal roads linking Nigeria with Cameroon and Chad.

Rawa Mai, a commercial driver who regularly uses the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway, said travelling on the road was “extremely difficult”, adding that it could take three or four days to reach one’s destination – if one managed to get there at all.

“Vehicles cannot cross the floodwater. If travellers want to get through, they have to remove their clothes and swim.

“Despite the challenges, people from the Dikwa, Mafa, Maiduguri, Ngala and Kala-Balge local government areas are still using that route because it’s the quickest and most-convenient route. But it’s dangerous. People could be swept away or drown in the floodwater,” said Mai.

“We are pleading with the government to fix the damaged roads as soon as possible.”

Baba Gana Abu, also a commercial driver, said sections of the Maiduguri-Dikwa highway were destroyed and cut off by the flash flood about eight days ago.

“It is a serious problem because the movement of passengers and goods from Maiduguri to the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon has been cut off.

“If you want to cross the road by car, you have to pay ₦30,000 to get your car mounted on drogues [a locally made floating platform using drums and barrels] and pulled across. But the youths who are offering this service can only pull small cars carrying a few passengers. They cannot pull trucks across.

“Some passengers pay the normal fare of ₦3,000. When they reach the flooded sections of the road, they disembark and swim through the floodwater. When they get to the other end, they get into a different car and continue their journey. It’s the only way to get through. But each section costs more money.”

Mohammed Goni Ali Shukura, a trader from Borno State, told RNI that it was a “major challenge” to transport goods to and from Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon.

“The roads have never been that good but the floodwaters have made them even worse.

“The Maiduguri-Dikwa highway is the main road used by traders. Right now, my property and goods – worth millions of naira – are stuck. All the routes are blocked. We are just hoping that after the rainy season all the muddy roads will dry out and we will be able to travel. For now, our business activities and trading have come to a standstill.

“Even alternative routes are blocked. And fares have increased. It’s extremely difficult to trade with our neighbouring countries.

“We are appealing to the Nigerian government to repair the roads to allow for the sustainable flow of economic and business activities in the Lake Chad region.”

Significant sections of the roads are impassable, affecting travel to and from communities in Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala, Marte, Kala-Balge and Maiduguri, as well as Chad and Cameroon.

The Borno State Police Command has advised travellers to seek alternative routes and stay updated on the situation.

FUMIGATION BEGINS

Following the devasting flood that engulfed Maiduguri and its environs on Tuesday, September 10, the Borno State government has begun fumigating and disinfecting parts of Maiduguri, the capital city, and the Jere Local Government Area.

Abdurrahman Bundi, the senior special adviser on new media to Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum, told journalists at a briefing at the Flood Disaster Situation Room in Maiduguri that 15 major areas had been fumigated, including hospitals, correctional service and fire service quarters and parts of the Gwange and Shehuri wards.

He said fumigation was “going on in earnest as displaced persons return home”.

The exercise aimed to eliminate mosquitoes and make homes habitable for flood victims.

Health authorities have advised flood victims to clean and disinfect their homes thoroughly to protect against waterborne diseases and germs.

COMMITTEE TO RELEASE RELIEF PACKAGES

Zulum has established a 35-member committee to disburse relief packages to victims of the flood disaster.

Zulum said on his Facebook page on Monday, September 23, that the flood had “significantly destroyed homes, infrastructure and agricultural lands, and displaced thousands of families”.

Making the announcement at the Council Chamber of Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum emphasised the need for the committee to ensure transparency in its activities.

“To the members of the committee, I urge you to approach this task with diligence and integrity. We must be accountable for every resource entrusted to us.”

He said ₦4.4 billion in donations had been credited to the relief account.

The state government had established a dedicated account aimed at supporting the ongoing efforts to alleviate the hardships facing those affected by the flood disaster.

“Transparency in our operations will be paramount; we must ensure that every naira allocated for relief is used effectively and reaches those who are suffering.”

He said all allowances for committee members would be paid by the Borno State government and not from the relief fund.

The governor ordered that 100% of the donations be disbursed to the flood victims. He said the state government would ensure the rehabilitation of public facilities such as hospitals, roads and bridges while providing the needed financial support to those affected.

Speaking after the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, Zulum said: “So far, we acknowledged a pledge of ₦13,195,500,000; however, as of yesterday [Sunday], we received a total amount of ₦4,441,494,902.81. All allocations to this account shall be made public.”

The September 10 flood, caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulted in many deaths and the destruction of property worth billions of naira. Two million people were affected and about 400,000 displaced. Many people are still missing and mopping up operations are continuing.

The official death toll has not been released.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO