President Bola Tinubu has described the recent flooding that devastated Maiduguri, Borno State, as a “natural disaster,” emphasizing that no one should be blamed for the incident.
The president made this statement on Monday during his visit to Maiduguri, the state capital, following the September 10 collapse of the Alau Dam, which had been holding water at full capacity for weeks. The dam’s collapse led to the worst flooding the state has witnessed in 30 years, displacing over 400,000 residents and resulting in the deaths of more than 30 people.
This event mirrors a similar catastrophe in 1994, when the same dam collapsed, leading to the destruction of farmlands, homes, and infrastructure. Along with Borno, six northern states—Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kwara, and Plateau—were severely impacted, as well as parts of neighboring Cameroon.
During his visit to Borno, Tinubu stopped at key locations, including the Borno Government House, the palace of the Shehu of Borno, and a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs). While addressing those affected, Tinubu underscored that the flood was a result of natural causes and that it would be inappropriate to assign blame for the disaster.
He expressed deep sympathy for the victims, saying, “This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame.” The president offered prayers for the deceased, asking that God grant them eternal rest and forgive their earthly misdeeds.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the disaster, Tinubu said that he has been contemplating ways to address such emergencies, particularly in the context of climate change. He announced plans to create a disaster relief fund to aid in the recovery and rebuilding of affected communities in Borno.
He called for the involvement of the private sector in this effort, stressing the importance of collaboration to restore the region. “There must be a disaster relief fund,” he said. “I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.”
Tinubu also suggested that a small percentage of revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) could be directed toward this disaster relief fund to ensure sustainable support for future emergencies. This, he believes, would foster a stronger sense of national unity and responsibility.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the president on the visit, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the executive to establish the relief fund.
