The Borno State government has announced its decision to demolish more than 1,300 homes located along riverbanks in Maiduguri, following the devastating floods that affected the region last month.
This decision has sparked concern and anger among residents, many of whom are calling for compensation, as they face the grim possibility of becoming homeless.
The floods, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, September 10, were triggered by the overflowing of the Alau Dam.
The floodwaters submerged large portions of Maiduguri, the state capital, as well as surrounding areas.
Thousands of homes, government buildings, roads, hospitals, and other key infrastructure were either damaged or completely destroyed.
The flood, which affected approximately two million people, displaced more than 400,000 residents. The death toll from the disaster, expected to be significant, has not yet been officially released.
In response to the devastation, the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board issued a notice on Friday, September 27, warning residents that properties located along riverbanks were not permitted to be rebuilt or renovated.
The government has now made clear its intention to demolish all homes in these vulnerable areas, including those that are still standing.
This drastic action is aimed at preventing a recurrence of such destructive flooding in the future.
However, residents are dismayed by the government’s stance, particularly because no plans for compensation have been outlined.
Many argue that they bought their homes with hard-earned money and now have nowhere else to go.
They believe they deserve some form of compensation or assistance from the government, especially as the demolition threatens to leave them homeless.
