This year’s rainy season has begun but hundreds of people, who had to scramble to higher ground in Maiduguri after huge flooding devastated their homes last year, have still not received any help or compensation from the Borno State government.
Victims fled the major flooding last year and took refuge in the homes of their relatives, in public schools or on empty land on higher ground.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that after the flooding, when the overflowing Ngadabul River had subsided, they had recovered 15 corpses in August 2022.
Moduganari, a suburb of Maiduguri and an area close to the Ngadabul River, experienced some of the worst flooding. Hundreds were forced to leave their homes, which were devastated by the raging river water.
Now, a year later, residents told RNI that nothing had changed. Although they had returned to what was left of their homes, they had not received any help from authorities. They had expected the government to help renovate and rebuild their homes but that had not happened.
They said they were fearful because this year’s rainy season had begun and they were no better off than this time last year.
They blamed poor drainage systems and waterways for the flooding in Moduganari.
Abubakar Ahmed, a resident, said: “Last year’s flooding affected us badly. Our homes were devastated and some were completely destroyed. Flooding is not unusual here but last year was the worst we have ever experienced. There was much more water than in previous years.
“We depended on the government to increase the depth of the drainage systems in our area and to open the waterways to at least 10 metres. If they did that, it would divert the overflowing water away from our homes.
“For a year now, we have followed up with the government several times. But the authorities have not done anything to help us and now we find ourselves in the same position we were in this time last year. We are afraid the river will overflow its banks again and cause more destruction.”
Bulama Modu, the ward head of Moduganari, said: “I have lived in this area for 51 years. We know the river overflows its banks most years but last year was the worst. We had to get to higher ground. Hundreds of people were affected. People fled to relative’s houses, public schools and other places. But we could not stay there indefinitely and we went back to what was left of our homes. Still, the authorities have not done anything to help us.
“Many people have tried hard to secure their land so that if there is flooding again, they will be safe. I can’t stop people from building their homes just because it is close to the river. People will not accept it. Besides, they have nowhere else to go.
“For the situation to change, the only option for the government is to fix up the drainage systems and waterways or to compensate the community by giving them money so that they can buy land elsewhere. People here do not have money to buy new land without help from the authorities.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
