The Federal Ministry of Environment has deployed a team of experts to assist the Borno State government in addressing the aftermath of recent flooding that severely impacted the state. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal confirmed that the team includes personnel from the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, the Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, the Department of Forestry, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-arid Landscape Program, the Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project, the National Park Services, and the Environmental Health Council.
Lawal stated, “Following the recent devastating flood in Borno State, I led a delegation of key officials from the Federal Ministry of Environment on a condolence and sympathy visit to the state on Friday, 13th September, 2024. This visit was aimed at addressing the adverse effects caused by the unfortunate incident.”
He emphasized the need for a coordinated and comprehensive response to mitigate the environmental challenges posed by the flooding. During the visit, Lawal informed the Borno State Governor that a team of experts from various relevant departments and agencies would work closely with the state government to address the impacts of the disaster.
The team will conduct ongoing water sampling and testing, identify sources of hazardous chemicals, and implement proactive measures to prevent waterborne diseases. Continuous monitoring of water quality is crucial to identifying contamination and ensuring public health and safety.
Lawal also mentioned that all agencies under the Ministry in Borno State have been directed to collaborate with the state government to mitigate the flood’s effects. To date, 100 drums of 40kg chlorine have been deployed to disinfect water sources, ensuring the availability of safe drinking water and reducing the risk of diseases like cholera.
In addition, the Ministry will distribute 30,000 flyers to raise public awareness about proper sanitation and hygiene practices, including waste disposal, frequent handwashing, and personal hygiene, to curb the spread of infections.
Looking beyond the immediate response, Lawal said the Ministry will work closely with the Borno State government to develop long-term flood mitigation strategies and early warning systems to prevent future occurrences.