By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for unity and support from all stakeholders to implement their proposed blueprint for the recovery of the 19 northern states.
The region has been affected by the long-lasting Boko Haram insurgency and the recent flood disaster that destroyed many homes, farmlands, and infrastructure.
ACF Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Bashir Dalhatu, emphasized the need for unity, solidarity, and support from all stakeholders to alleviate the catastrophic impact of the floods.
The recent flood disaster resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of property worth billions of naira. Thousands of residents have been displaced, and the ACF is seeking support and contributions from across the country. The forum has visited the Governor and people of Borno State and paid homage to the Royal father, HRH, the Shehu of Borno, to express their condolences.
The Chairman ACF, Maman Mike Osuman, assured stronger unity and collaboration between the governments and governors of northern Nigeria and the federal government to address the lingering crisis in the North.
Osuman emphasized the need for an urgent settlement plan for the flood-ravaged areas, stressing the need to specify buildings and waterways, their locations, and tributaries to channel the water properly to curtail future reoccurrence of flood disasters in the North.
He said the ACF is committed to supporting the affected people and appealing for well-meaning individuals, organizations, and government bodies to intensify their support and contributions to Borno State, especially the communities devastated by the flood incident. The forum’s visit to Borno State was to condole with the people over the flooding, which has displaced thousands and caused significant damage to many homes, farmlands, and infrastructure.
According to him, the ACF is working on a comprehensive master plan for the northern region, including prohibiting construction on waterways to mitigate the recurrence of devastating floods in Maiduguri and Jere and other states of the North.
