By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has received the final report from the Borno State Flood Relief Disbursement Committee, which managed a whopping ₦28.2 billion in relief funds. Interestingly, the committee had already disbursed about ₦18.08 billion to over 101,330 affected families.
The funds were collected through a basket fund supported by the Federal and State Governments, corporate organizations, and individuals.
The Chairman of the committee , Engr. Baba Bukar Gujibawu who led other members of the committee on a country visit on Monday at the Government House Council Chambers while handing over to Governor Zulum the report of the committee also said that the total amount include a significant contribution of N10 billion from the Borno State Government.
In addition, the committee received donations of drugs, medical supplies, food and other essential items worth billions of naira from corporate humanitarian and development organizations including food items and other relief materials worth about N18.08 billion that were distributed to over 101,330 displaced flood disaster victims or families.
Providing details on the fund’s disbursement, the chairman revealed that ₦18.08 billion was distributed in cash to the displaced households alongside food and non-food items. Contributions totalling ₦4.3 billion from UNHCR, WFP, FAO, UNDP and other partners were instrumental in addressing immediate needs.
Gujibawu emphasised that over one million people were affected by the recent flood, with 101,330 households displaced while noting that, the disaster also resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure and farmlands and the loss of human lives.
According to him, “The committee also allocated ₦987 million to assist 7,716 traders in affected markets, ₦313 million to 814 worship centres, ₦213 million to 267 private schools, ₦89.4 million to 1,788 youths who contributed during the flood, and ₦12.5 million to 22 private clinics”.
The chairman revealed that the committee recommended that the remaining ₦4.45 billion be used to rehabilitate earth roads in flood-hit areas, including the Gongulong and Old Maiduguri roads. The remaining food and non-food items will be distributed to host communities.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for funding the committee members worthy to serve the state at the critical time of need and governor’s non-interference in the affairs of the committee’.
Gujibawu further commended the members for the committee for their dedication, hard work and resilience in the discharge of their schedules diligently.
Responding, Governor Zulum assured the committee of implementing all the recommendations submitted, directing the immediate activation of a permanent disaster response structure at the state emergency management agency (SEMA).
Zulum also directed the Secretary to the State Government to devise modalities for properly capturing street names and house numbers in all communities within the state capital and its environs.
The governor also directed the Ministry of Works to immediately reconstruct the road networks destroyed by flood in different communities.
Zulum commended the federal government for its huge support to victims of Maiduguri flood disaster. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership to the people of Borno during the flood disaster.
The governor also commended the committee for its extensive work: “Let me commend the members of this important committee for your meticulous work. In sha Allah, posterity will judge you positively.”
