Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited Ngala Local Government Area on Sunday to assess the damage caused by severe flooding that had isolated the community for nearly four months.
Gamboru Ngala, a market town near the Nigeria-Cameroon border along Lake Chad, was heavily affected, with much of the area submerged.
Governor Zulum, who arrived on Saturday and stayed overnight, met with residents and distributed relief items to support those impacted by the disaster.
During his visit, the governor noted, “Gamboru Ngala has been cut off from the rest of the country for about four months due to this year’s heavy rainfall and flooding. A significant part of the town is underwater. We are here to assess the extent of the damage and explore ways to assist the victims.”
He urged residents to avoid building houses on waterways, emphasizing that poor urban planning contributes to flooding.
Zulum assured the community that both the state and federal governments are committed to finding long-term solutions to prevent similar situations in the future.
The governor also highlighted the need for immediate measures to restore access to the town, which has faced severe food shortages due to its isolation. Food supplies donated by the federal government were distributed during the visit.
Zulum was joined by several officials, including Engr. Bukar Talba (House of Representatives member), Alhaji Bukar Abatcha (Ngala Assembly representative), Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs Sugun Mai Mele, Dr. Mohammed Barkindo (Director-General of SEMA), and other senior government officials.
The visit underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by flooding in the state while supporting affected communities.
