By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
 
In order to reduce the effects of global warming and flooding, tackle water scarcity, and improve security in the region, the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced the desilting and evacuation of one million meters of drainage, drilling, and installation of solar-powered boreholes and streetlights across the region.  
 
The initiative is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as the federal and state government Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. 

In an interview with journalists shortly after the inspection of the desiltation and evacuation, as well as streetlights and solar-powered boreholes across the Maiduguri metropolis on Tuesday, Goni Alkali, the Managing Director of NEDC, said, 
 
To improve sanitation and hygiene, the Commission is not only evacuating and desilting drainages but also providing potable water, stressing that within the Maiduguri metropolis alone, over 50 solar-powered boreholes were provided, in addition to the ones in the local government areas. 
 
“Our idea is to do two things at the same time. You know the effects of global warming and its consequences, one of which is flooding. To mitigate the effect of the flooding, we are going to desilt one million meters of drainage in the six states of the Northeast. Here in Maiduguri, we are targeting about 300,000 meters of drainage in this rainy season.”. 

According to him, these solar-powered boreholes will help address the problem of water shortages across the metropolis whenever there is no electricity. 

“The desilting and evacuation of the drainages is also providing jobs to the teeming unemployed youths across the six states of the region,”  the MD added. 
 
On the issue of security, Alkali said they have also installed solar-powered streetlights across the region, some completed, some ongoing, and others will commence soon. This is to improve the security and safety of the people so that they can move and do their business free in the night. 
 
The NEDC MD also explained that plans are under way to see that the commission, in collaboration with the Borno state government, will provide comprehensive solutions to the Bulunkutu drainage system, as a very soon-to-be team of engineers will be deployed to the site to assess the area. 

As regard waste management, he said, “We are planning to bring modern dump sites so that people will stop dumping waste in the drainages, as well as convert the waste into wealth and create jobs for youths through recycling plants.”

He explained that the whole idea was to improve sanitation, hygiene, and the security of the people in the region.