Maiduguri Flood: Northern Christian Professionals Demand Investigation Into Reckless Handling Of Alau Dam

By Bukar BOLORI

The Northern Christian Youth Professionalshave demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for Alau Dam’s reckless handling.

The group on Tuesday in a signed statement by its chairman, Isaac Abrak while insisting that the commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives which has now failed the people, noted that the recent flooding in Borno State, caused by the breakdown of the Alau Dam, has resulted in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.

The statement read: “We demand that the Federal and Borno State Governments investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the dam’s reckless handling. The commonwealth provided for dam maintenance and climate change initiatives has failed the people.“

While commending President Tinubu’s compassionate visit and N3 billion pledge, we question setting up another fund without investigating why existing Ecological Funds (N40 billion, with Borno receiving N800 million) have failed to mitigate climate issues.

“Flooding is an existential problem worsened by leadership failures. Throwing money at environmental problems without accountability is inhumane.

“We urge: Investigation and accountability for dam mishandling; Transparent utilization of existing funds; Safe housing construction in highland areas; Logistics support for temporary relocation; School closures and alternative education arrangements.”

The group insisted that: “The 2022 Bayelsa flooding serves as a stark reminder. We cannot continue to fail the most vulnerable.”