Maiduguri flood: What next for the people?

Maiduguri, the bustling capital of Borno State, was brought to its knees on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, by a devastating flood. What started as a typical rainy day turned into a nightmare as a downpour overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure.

Homes, businesses and livelihoods were submerged as neighbourhoods transformed into rivers. The flood has left a trail of destruction, displacing thousands, claiming lives and bringing the city to a standstill.

The extent of the disaster is shocking: families have been torn apart, with many still searching for missing children. Livestock and crops, the backbone of many households, have been washed away.

Even more chilling, coffins and corpses have floated out of cemeteries, a grim reminder of the disaster’s magnitude. To compound the tragedy, inmates from a prison have fled after the floodwaters tore down the prison walls, sparking security concerns.

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This flood is not just a local issue; it is a national emergency. The city, already battered by years of insurgency and economic hardship, now faces the additional burden of rebuilding from a preventable disaster. Poor urban planning, faulty dams and an inadequate drainage system have all contributed to this catastrophe.

For years, experts have warned of the dangers of neglecting the city’s infrastructure. Yet, those warnings went unheeded, and now, the people of Maiduguri are paying the price. Vice President Kashim Shettima, a son of Maiduguri, visited the affected areas to express his sympathy. During his visit, he announced the delivery of 50 trucks of rice to the displaced people, an act of relief that many see as insufficient in addressing the scale of the tragedy.

What the people need now is not just food but a clear plan for their future. The residents of Maiduguri are asking: What happens next? Will their homes be rebuilt? Will they receive support to rebuild their businesses and recover their lost livelihoods? And most importantly, will the government finally take action to prevent this from happening again?

Social media has erupted with outrage and frustration. X users are calling for accountability and action. Prayers are being offered, but there is also anger at a system that continually fails its people. Many residents are returning to their homes, now that the waters have begun to recede, only to find their belongings destroyed and their lives in disarray.

Power, water and communication services are still down in many parts of the city, leaving people in a state of helplessness. The time for sympathy has passed. The government must now take concrete steps to ensure that the displaced people are provided with the necessary aid: shelter, clean water, food and medical care.

But beyond the immediate relief, there must be long-term solutions. Maiduguri’s infrastructure needs to be rebuilt with resilience in mind. Proper drainage systems must be implemented, faulty dams must be repaired, and urban planning needs a complete overhaul to prevent future disasters.

In addition, collaboration with international organizations and NGOs is crucial to mobilize the resources needed for recovery. But most of all, the government must take responsibility for the safety and well-being of the people it serves. The displaced individuals of Maiduguri deserve not only aid but also assurance that their future will be secure. Now is the time for action before the next rain comes.

Aremu Ebunoluwa Toluwani is an intern at PRNigeria and a student at Bowen University – [email protected].