By the last estimate, more than a million souls have been impacted, and a couple of lives lost to the Maiduguri flood or, better still, deluge that submerged about 40% of the beautiful city.
The conflagration of this force of nature is believed to be a replay of a similar bout that took place in September 1994 and arguably in 1924. Maiduguri and indeed Borno State deserve the sympathy of all well-meaning Nigerians. And this they got generously. The state and federal government equally rose to the occasion to provide the needed helping hand to the victims.
The story of flooding in Maiduguri indicates both cyclical climatic patterns and human factor, including “devine test” (jarrabawa daga Allah swt) which attention should be paid to, to forestall future occurrence or at best reduce the impacts of the episodes to the barest minimise. This may require dusting the reports and/or the Maiduguri masterplan by the Max Lock Group and a firm called Mcdonald, in the 60s/70s. The late Ibrahim Imam (1916-1980) was among the early Borno Native Authority officers who worked with them.
Furthermore, the government should work closely with the University of Maiduguri on the research works done regarding the vagaries of geographical and climatic factors on the town. Some of the research work took place a couple of decades ago or more.
The choice of old Yerwa (Maiduguri) settlement as the precursor to Maiduguri Town in 1907 was based on conventional factors or wisdoms that include location security concerns, soil fertility, and access to water source. The site, so chosen for present-day Maiduguri, the seat of the Borno “Shehunate” and also as a Colonial military outpost bore these considerations. The town, including the iconic Shehu’s pala thus largely lie on low-lying maze of streams and waterways from rivers Ngadda, Yadzəram (Bama ridge), Alau etc, and half a dozen ponds/water points that dotted it such as the Abbaganaram, Bədum, and Kyarimi Park. All perched on stretches of alluvial-type of soil.
Those old enough could recall the sight of local fishermen with their wares fishing all year round on the now vanished ponds in the 70s and 80s. These geographic features (streams and ponds) are believed to be remnants and antiquities of the great Chad’s flood plains some millenia ago. Now, they are hosts to supermarkets, car wash centres, and even residential homes. Nature has a way of asking or taking its pound of flesh at the appointed time!
Part of the cyclical respite that the city tends to enjoy had to do with the Colonial and immediate post-Colonial urban planning periods for the Maiduguri township.The government of the day found it imperative to drain the city from North-South and East-West via mega drainage from Gamboru ward to Customs Area and from Customs Bridge to the Shehu’s Palace via Shehuri North respectively. But that was years ago before the city sprawled into mega one.
A humble city of about a quarter million people in the 70s is now estimated to harbour over two million. No thanks to the impact of the one and a half decades of insurgency in the region that forced people to move to the state capital. With this came the attendant problems of massive encroachment on natural waterways as well systemic blockage of gutters and drainage on account of poor waste management habits, that is typical of most urban centres in Nigeria.
Given the enough recorded cyclical experiences with flush floods and deluge in Maiduguri, it is time to be more proactive by drawing from past lessons. There is no doubt that the trauma of the latest victims of the flood are being adequately addressed by the state government and the relevant national agencies,(NEMA, NEDC, Nat. Refugees Commission, Donors etc). The usual Maiduguri hospitality and compassion have been put on full display as usual. But these are interim measures at best.
For a way forward, i.e, medium and long terms, the Borno State government working with relevant stakeholders at all levels should work towards a long-lasting solution to the menace of Maiduguri floods. This should start by reviewing and/ or updating the Maiduguri masterplan of of yore. The firms of Max Lock and Mcdonald and others that followed did some wonderful jobs.
For immediate impact however government should initiate a mega drainage construction to evacuate water from the western axis of the city (Auno/Jimtilo) into the Ngadda River all the way into Zabarmari to the east. Smaller network of drainage from the northern part of town should serve as minor collectors.
The brazen encroachment on the existing drains and waterways should be checked seriously. The state’ s agency for urban development and regulations should step up their enforcement activities. No sacred cows. Waste management in the city should be improved to reduce the enormous volume of waste being dumped on gutter and drains across town too.
A new full survey of the Ngadda River that traversed parts of metropolis needs to be undertaken. This is with a view to building “retaining walls” or embankment along the most vulnerable stretches of the channel. Incidentally it won’t be a too long stretch.
The integrity of the Alau Dam that spilled substantial part of the water into the metropolis is assessed to be largely intact. The government, obviously should be thinking of re-firming it. Experts may wish to consider the construction of a network of mini dams around to serve as water/rain harvesters to reliefpressureon the main dam. Before then illegal activities that could impact the Dam’s ecosystem should be checked as well.
The research activities by some departments of the University of Maiduguri may provide valuable insights into some of these initiatives. The city is the Institution’s immediate catchment area.
A stitch in time saves nine. Though like the mystical phoenix Maiduguri has a way of rising from the ashes (deluge) again. Soonest.
A.G.Abubakar agbarewa@gmail.com
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