The federal government has initiated emergency water sampling and testing in Borno State following the severe flooding that affected the state. The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor of Borno State, Prof. Umara Zulum, assuring the state of federal support.
A team from the Federal Ministry of Environment is collaborating with the state government and international partners to control the aftermath. The team, comprising experts from the Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACreSAL), Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), NEWMAP and National Park Service (NPC) will focus on recovery and mitigation efforts.
Lawal emphasised the urgency of addressing flood-related challenges, including studies to identify immediate and remote causes. “The ministry is committed to ensuring that all necessary resources and technical support be mobilized to assist Borno State in addressing the environmental challenges posed by the flood,” Lawal added.
The ministry’s interventions include rehabilitating hospitals, schools, markets, bridges, and evacuating people from high-risk areas. Disease prevention measures will also be implemented in camps and evacuation sites.
Responding, Zulum commended Lawal’s visit and stressed the need for collaborative efforts to develop medium and long-term measures against climate change and environmental hazards.
Zulum requested ACRESAL’s support in desilting river banks and addressed concerns about elephants invading farmlands due to flooded habitats.
The minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Mahmoud Adam Kambari, National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, Conservator-General of National Park Service, and other officials.
