A seasoned civil engineer, Abidemi Ajayi, advocates for a quick upgrade of the country’s infrastructure following the recent flooding in Maiduguri.
He stated that the Borno flooding has brought to light the critical need for robust flood prevention and disaster management systems
In a statement sent to PUNCH Online on Monday, Ajayi emphasized the need for comprehensive infrastructure upgrades to mitigate future flood risks.
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He said, “The root cause of the flooding in Maiduguri lies in outdated urban planning and insufficient drainage systems.
“With rapid urbanization, the city’s drainage systems, built years ago, can no longer handle the current volumes of rainfall. Coupled with deforestation and unregulated construction, this has created a perfect storm for flooding.”
Ajayi stressed the importance of building flood-resistant infrastructure, including mechanically-engineered drainage systems capable of handling high volumes of water.
“Upgrading the city’s drainage network to include advanced systems and flood barriers would significantly reduce the risk of overflow during heavy rains,” he added.
He also recommended the use of real-time flood monitoring systems, a solution rooted in his expertise in instrumentation engineering.
“Installing flood sensors throughout the city to monitor water levels and rainfall intensity could enable early detection and response, minimizing the impact of future floods. These sensors could also trigger automated floodgates and water pumps, giving residents and emergency services time to act,” he said.
Ajayi further suggested optimizing the city’s disaster response capabilities through better resource management.
He said, “Using industrial engineering principles, Maiduguri can improve how it handles flood emergencies by pre-positioning resources such as rescue boats and medical supplies in high-risk areas.
“This will reduce response times and ensure critical areas receive help promptly.”
In addition to immediate technical solutions, Ajayi advocated for community engagement and reforestation efforts.
“Replanting trees in deforested areas would help absorb excess rainwater, reducing the burden on urban drainage systems,” he noted.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining clean drainage systems to prevent blockages that exacerbate flooding.
