By Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri Branch, once again, expresses its deepest sorrow and condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic flood in Maiduguri, Jere and environs following the collapse of the Alau Dam on 9th September 2024.
This disaster has affected countless members of our community, including academic staff, their families, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Field Station located behind Lake Chad Research Institute, Gamboru Ngala Road.The Union has data revealing many of its members were directly affected by the flood in a devastating manner, except for a few who resided on campus or in the staff quarters. The category of members on campus accommodation were indirectly affected, overburdened with providing food and shelters to affected colleagues, family members, and the community at large. This devastating event has left a profound mark on our members and the entire community, and our hearts go out to all those affected.
ASUU has a duty to engage with relevant stakeholders and advocate for policies that prioritise public safety and well-being. ASUU will actively engage with all stakeholders, advocating for the urgent adoption of academic research into government policies to prioritise public safety and prevent further tragedies as well as forestall future occurrences.
The collapse of the Alau Dam, located just 13.6 kilometers from the University of Maiduguri, had a devastating impact on the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). The entire hospital, particularly the ground floors where most of the essential equipment are located, were submerged in water.
This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of valuable multi-billion-naira equipment. In the Radiology Department, for instance, the affected equipment were at least magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, and fluoroscopy machines; three static Xray machines (one of which is a digital radiography machine); three mobile X-ray machines; one mammography machine; and about eight ultrasound scan machines. The disaster extended to the newly established radiotherapy centre and flooded two linear accelerator machines (LINAC), two brachytherapy machines, and one CT scanner. These essential medical devices are crucial for providing specialised healthcare services to patients in the North East Nigeria and entire country at large.
The UMTH has served as a vital referral centre for the North East and the country at large. The loss of these medical equipment poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of countless individuals.
To ensure that the UMTH can continue to provide essential healthcare services to the community and maintain its status as a leading medical institution in the region, ASUU calls for immediate action to replace these damaged infrastructures and machines at the facility.
The University of Maiduguri, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Field Station, located behind Lake Chad Research Institute, Gamboru Ngala Road, was also flooded, leading to the drowning and loss of many livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats that were reared purposely for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students’ practical and clinical posting. The Union calls for the immediate replacement of the livestock and reconstruction of lost facilities in the University.
While we commend the FGN in her swift show of sympathy to the people of the state, and the Borno State Government for its commendable efforts in various sectors across the state, we cannot ignore the glaring gap between policy implementers and the academic community.
The collapse of the Alau Dam, despite numerous warnings from experts across tertiary institutions in the state in many research publications, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective collaboration and integration of research outputs into policymaking.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, bearing the responsibility of managing and maintaining the Alau Dam, has unfortunately neglected to heed the warnings and recommendations from academic researchers. The numerous research outputs directly associated with the state of the Alau dam have been largely ignored, leading to this tragic outcome.
ASUU calls on the FGN and Borno State Government to, in earnest, collaborate and embrace the path of excellence and accountability by:
1. Ensuring immediate reconstruction and expansion of the entire Alau Dam and its routes within the town to hold more volumes of water: this will forestall future disasters as well as encourage irrigation, thereby creating more jobs;
2. Integrating academic research into policymaking: ensuring that research findings from tertiary institutions are considered and incorporated into policy decisions.
3. Establishing effective communication channels: Creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration between policymakers and academic experts.
4. Investing in research and development: providing adequate funding and support for research initiatives that address critical societal issues.
5. Provision of immediate relief and support to our affected members and the entire affected communities.
6. Mitigating possible outbreaks of infectious diseases, especially waterborne diseases
The adage “A stitch in time saves nine” is particularly relevant to the tragic collapse of the Alau Dam. Thirty years ago (September 1994), when the dam flooded Maiduguri and its environs, the impact was minimal compared to the 2024 incident. This was largely due to the relatively undisturbed state of the waterways, which had not been significantly impacted by human activities such as building houses and properties along the riverbanks.
The 2024 tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting to address environmental issues promptly. The dam’s collapse, exacerbated by human encroachment and inadequate maintenance, has resulted in widespread devastation and loss of lives.
The Union also calls on Nigerians, the wider academic community, non-governmental organisations, and international bodies to pressure the government to act and prevent such disasters in the future, as it is imperative for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Borno State Government to collaborate on implementing the recommendations outlined above with immediate effect.
A renewed hope will be celebrating Agricultural outputs following a revamped irrigation along the Alau Dam axis in less than three years.
Today we all come together as a community mourning the loss of our loved ones. We can work together towards a safer and more prosperous future for all.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Ameen!
● Saidu is the chairperson of the University of Maiduguri Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He issued this statement on behalf of the union in Maiduguri.
