The flooding in Borno State, northeast Nigeria, which has left thousands of residents stranded and displaced is heartbreaking, especially as the state government failed to mitigate the disaster after claiming there was ‘no cause for alarm’.
Development Diaries reports that following the collapse of the dyke and the overflow of the Alau Dam, which is located approximately ten kilometres from the city, thousands of inhabitants of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, as well as portions of Jere area are stranded and displaced.
It is understood that despite prior assessments of the dam and reassurances by the Secretary to the Government, Bukar Tijjani, residents are now grappling with the consequences of what seems to be inadequate preventive measures.
The fact that the state government failed to mitigate the disaster after claiming there was ‘no cause for alarm’ highlights a gap between promises made and actual outcomes, deepening frustrations among the affected population.
This failure to act in a timely and effective manner calls into question the competence of the state government and also erodes citizens’ trust in its ability to safeguard their welfare.
Residents, who had relied on the government’s assurance that measures would be put in place, now find themselves displaced and without adequate support.
With early warning signs available, the failure to respond with the necessary urgency appears to reflect a disregard for the safety of citizens, increasing feelings of abandonment and distrust.
Moreover, recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Borno State had received N1.68 billion in ecological fund allocations over the past year, making it the second-highest recipient.
Given these substantial financial resources, the question arises: why were these funds not utilised to prevent such a disaster?
The lack of transparency and proper allocation of ecological funds, particularly in a state already grappling with environmental degradation due to insurgency, raises serious concerns about Borno’s governance and financial management practices.
In the long term, such inaction and mismanagement can severely damage public trust, deepening the existing trust deficit between the government and citizens.
The people of Borno have faced years of hardship due to insurgency, and now, with environmental disasters adding to their plight, the government’s inability to protect them from predictable risks will likely result in increased public dissatisfaction and skepticism toward its commitment to addressing their needs.
Development Diaries calls on the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to urgently provide relief to affected residents and expedite efforts to avoid flooding disasters.
The erosion of trust could have far-reaching consequences for the government’s legitimacy and its ability to effectively lead in future crises.
Photo source: Vanguard
