News

Flood Hits Maiduguri City As Govt Close Schools For 2 Weeks

Published

2 months ago

September 10, 2024

Our Correspondent

Hundreds of residents have fled their homes, shops and schools following a devastating flood in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital

One of the victims of the flood said that the flood effected Millionaires Quarters around Gamboru Ward and its environs were also flooded even as the popular Lagos Bridge and the Moduganari bypass bridge have also been submerged and inaccessible.

Mallam Ba’aba the resident of the town said this situation is to be worse than the previous flooding incident around 1994, exactly 30 years now ago, thereby making history to repeat itself in the month of September.

The Alau Dam, which has been at full capacity for the past week, reportedly collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to the staff of Zoo park, who spoke on theflood, expressed that the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi Park, also been submerged forcing staff to relocate to a safe place, while many animals in the Zoo including crocodiles and snakes have strayed through the water channels, thereby raising apprehension amongst residents who are scampering to remove their properties floating on the raging flood.

Yagana Mustapha added that the flood almost effected parts of the state like, Zoo Road has been flooded with water gushing to the College of Health Technology in Maiduguri while the water is already going towards the Damboa Road ,Commissioner of Police Junction
Comrade Butama Abiso, who is the Executive Director, Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, has urged the humanitarian action towards the victims of the flood.
According to him the flooding has left numerous families devastated and homeless, with particularly severe impact on women and children,.

He also urge on all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) under its wing to extend their assistance to the affected communities in the State.

In a statement by Usman Tar, the state commissioner for information and internal security, issued a flooding alert, urging the immediate evacuation of those living along the riverbanks.
Tar also urged residents of the affected areas to follow evacuation routes to ensure safe passage.

“Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties,” he said.

In the meantime, the Borno State government has reopened the closed Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri for relocation of citizens displaced by the flood.

“following the ongoing flooding across the state and its adverse effects, the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation has directed a statewide closure of all schools, both public and private, until Monday, Sept. 23″, the statement said .

He added that we urge all concerned parties to comply strictly with this directive.We regret any inconvenience this notice may have caused and we appreciate your understanding,” the statement added.

The schools which were initially scheduled to open on Monday, Sept. 9, but we’re forced to be closed down in less than 24 hours after resumption due to some of the schools were submerged while others are being occupied by people displaced by the flood..

Our correspondent learnt that the last time the dam collapsed was in 1994, which led to unprecedented flooding in Maiduguri, with nearly half of the town submerged.

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Oil Sector: Sack Kyari Now, NICOCSO Urges Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (NICOCSO) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove Mele Kyari, as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), probe the cabal sabotaging local refineries, and stop importation of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS).

NICOCSO which had been warning the federal government of the grave consequences of poor management of the downstream sector raised the alarm again in a press conference jointly addressed by its National Spokesperson and National Co-Coordinator, Segun Adebayo and Benjamin James on Friday in Abuja.

The Coalition wants President Tinubu to intervene immediately starting with sack of Mele Kyari, insisting that his leadership has frustrated local refinery initiatives, maintained harmful policies, and upheld a system that harms the nation’s economy. Adding that the advocacy for the NNPCL chief sack will be sustained until the president acts on their demand.

The statement reads: “We are here to raise urgent concerns about the group within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), led by Mele Kyari, whose policies jeopardize our economic stability by prioritizing imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) over local refining. This group’s profit-driven approach burdens our economy, drains our foreign reserves, weakens the Naira, and obstructs local initiatives to support energy self-sufficiency and job creation.

“The High Cost of Fuel Importation and Its Devastating Economic ImpactDespite Nigeria’s potential to refine fuel locally, vested interests within the NNPCL continue to impose PMS importation on Nigeria. This unnecessary import dependency costs Nigeria billions in foreign exchange every year, placing our economy under enormous strain.

Meanwhile, the people bear the brunt of fluctuating global oil prices and currency devaluation, all while this cabal profits from maintaining the status quo.

“We must hold accountable those who prioritize personal gain over national prosperity. They are frustrating the nation’s move toward self-sufficiency, ensuring that Nigeria remains exposed to the volatility of the international oil market. This is unacceptable and unsustainable for a nation as richly endowed with natural resources as ours.

“It is no secret that Nigerian industrialists, such as Aliko Dangote, have invested heavily in local refineries to curb Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.

The Dangote Refinery represents a transformative opportunity for energy independence and economic growth. However, instead of supporting these efforts, the cabal at the NNPCL has actively hindered local refinery operations, prioritizing imported PMS and discouraging local refining. This calculated sabotage deters investors, limits job creation, and keeps Nigeria locked in economic dependency.

“We call upon His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take decisive action to address this troubling issue. We know President Tinubu loves Nigeria and wants the best for Nigeria hence we urge him to caution the NNPCL leadership, led by Mele Kyari, to avoid policies that could lead Nigeria into further economic crises. The President should immediately authorize an investigation into this cabal’s activities within the fuel sector to uncover and expose any malicious manipulation or corruption.

“For Nigeria to realize its ambition of a self-sustaining economy, this group’s exploitative grip on the fuel sector must end. Only through a transparent probe and strict accountability can we remove these obstacles to local refinery success and national economic stability. We implore the President to enact reforms that will bolster the local refining industry and free Nigeria from dependence on imported fuel.

“One critical policy shift we advocate for is mandating that Nigerian crude oil be sold to local refineries in Naira rather than in dollars. This change would significantly reduce our foreign exchange losses, empower local businesses, and protect the Naira. A shift to selling crude oil domestically in Naira would also send a strong message that Nigeria is serious about prioritizing its local industries and economic sovereignty.

“Such a policy will empower local investors, encourage growth in the refinery sector, create jobs, and reduce fuel prices domestically. It will strengthen Nigeria’s economy and make us more resilient to external economic pressures. The time has come for Nigeria to take ownership of its resources and ensure that our natural wealth benefits the Nigerian people rather than a select few.

“We are here today at the National Assembly to demand that our representatives stand with the Nigerian people. We call for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari from his position as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL. His leadership has frustrated local refinery initiatives, maintained harmful policies, and upheld a system that harms the nation’s economy.

“If the government does not act, the NIGERIAN COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (NICOCSO) here today pledge to continue this advocacy, rallying every day across the 36 States to make our voices heard. We will not stand down until this administration addresses our demands for transparency, reform, and accountability within the NNPCL. Our economy and the well-being of the Nigerian people depend on decisive action against those who hinder our path toward energy independence.

“We once again plead with President Tinubu who is a listening leader and a President who has genuinely renewed our hope to sack Mele Kyari Now!!! We urge Nigerians across all sectors to join this call for accountability. We appeal to the press, fellow civil society organizations, and all Nigerians to support this movement to curb the monopolistic control over our resources and fuel market. Together, we can build a Nigeria that empowers local industries, ensures fair fuel pricing, and promotes economic sovereignty for the prosperity of future generations.

“Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads. We can allow a few individuals to exploit our economy for personal gain, or we can chart a new course toward a resilient and prosperous future. We urge President Tinubu to heed the voice of the people, sanction a probe into the cabal within the NNPCL, and take action to secure our economic sovereignty by selling crude oil to local refineries in Naira.

“Mr. President, the time to act is now. We stand here today for a Nigeria that is prosperous, self-reliant, and free from the shackles of dependency on imported fuel. We believe in the strength of this administration to make bold choices that will benefit all Nigerians.”

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