To mitigate the effect of global warming and flooding in the North East region, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced the desilting and evacuation of 1 million metres of drainages across the region.

Speaking after the inspection of the desiltation and evacuation exercise as well as the streetlights and solarpowered boreholes across Maiduguri metropolis yesterday, NEDC Managing Director, Alhaji Goni Alkali said:

“Our idea is to do two things at the same time, You know the effect of global warming and its consequences, one of which is flooding; to mitigate the effect of flooding, we are going to desilt one million metres of drainage in the six states of the North East.

Here in Maiduguri alone, we are targeting about 300,000 metres of drainage in this rainy season.” The managing director said to also improve sanitation and hygiene, the commission is not only evacuating and desilting the drainage, but will also provide potable water, stressing that within Maiduguri metropolis alone, over 50 solar-powered bore holes were provided.