Maiduguri flood: Environment minister deploys staff to contain pollution

The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas has announced the deployment of staff to Maiduguri to address pollution and other environmental challenges.

Abbas made this known on Friday, while consoling Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, when he led a delegation of heads of relevant agencies in the Ministry on an assessment visit to Maiduguri.

Abbas said the ministry has prepared for the aftermath of Alau Dam flood disaster in Maiduguri with the deployment of staff of relevant agencies to Borno.

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“There are cases of pollution once you have this type of flood as there’s going to be a lot of pollutants that will come.

“A team will come to join teams in Borno to address the issues. We are bringing all the resources of the ministry to Borno to stay and address the aftermath of this flood.

“That’s why we came with all those directly involved, particularly our Director of Pollution Management, ” Abbas said.

He commended Gov. Babagana Zulum for the leadership being exhibited in handling the catastrophic incident, adding that with a reliable partner like Zulum, the challenges would be properly handled.

“The tragic loss of lives, displacement of thousands of families as well as the destruction of homes, farmlands and critical infrastructure have no doubt, caused much hardship on the government and people of Borno.

“As we mourn the unfortunate event, we must also focus on the urgent need for coordinated action to mitigate the effects of this disaster.

“The ministry remains fully committed to supporting Borno in its recovery efforts, both in the immediate response and in long-term environmental sustainability planning.

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I have directed all agencies under the ministry to work closely with the relevant state agencies in the State to provide the necessary technical and logistical support in addressing the challenges posed by this unfortunate event,” Abbas added.

In his response, Zulum lauded the ministry for its show of concern and called for sustainable solutions to the issue of the dam and desertification facing the state.

Zulum also expressed concern over the menace of elephants destroying farmlands in some local governments, soliciting the minister’s support in addressing the problem.

He assured the minister of his administration’s support in addressing the environmental challenges facing the state.