Tinubu approves N108bn for Borno and other states to tackle flood, erosion

President Bola Tinubu has approved N108 billion for Borno and other 35 states of the federation to tackle flooding and other natural disaster.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Receiving the Speaker of the House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the Vice President described the situation in Maiduguri as a “national calamity”.

“The President has shown his zeal, willingness and commitment to partner with the states towards addressing these issues,” Shettima said.

“Recently, he approved the release of N3 billion to each state of the federation to address some of these challenges so that all parts of the federation should have buy-in and belonging.”

Shettima also commended the Speaker for what he described as his “stellar leadership in the National Assembly,” saying despite having nearly 70 per cent of the members as newly sworn-in, the Speaker has been able to keep the flag flying.

“There is a lot of stability in the House of Representatives, and we have to commend you for providing that leadership. We wish you well and, Insha Allah, you are one of the fulcrums of our democratic journey.

“A harmonious relationship among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary is very essential to sustain democracy in Nigeria. Once again, thank you most sincerely on behalf of the President, the government and people of Borno for your show of empathy and support,” he said.

On his part, Tajudeen commiserated with Shettima, Tinubu, the government and people of Borno State, assuring that the National Assembly will provide support for the affected community.

“We in the National Assembly are looking all through to see what kind of support we will give to the people affected. We are very sorry, Your Excellency, for what happened. We share your pains; we share your concerns; we are together in this from the beginning to the end.

“Insha Allah, it will come to pass, and people will go back to their normal lives and businesses as if it did not happen because we and you will make sure that we provide all the palliatives for them to regain their means of livelihood. Thank you, Your Excellency; please, convey our sincere concerns to the Governor and to the people of Borno State,” he said.

Earlier, it was reported that the severe flooding which ravaged Maiduguri has so far claimed at least 30 lives.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman, Ezekiel Manzo, told AFP; “The death toll is 30”.

This is as Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, said about one million people have so far been affected by the flood.

The governor, who disclosed this while distributing cash and cooked food to displaced persons taking refuge in Bakassi Camp in Maiduguri, said the full extent of the damage caused by the flood has not yet been determined.

He assured that rescue teams have been deployed to affected areas to assess the losses in lives and property, adding that a health emergency committee had been constituted to address potential outbreaks of flood-related diseases in Maiduguri and Jere.

Further expressing concern about the spread of waterborne illnesses due to the flooding of sewage systems, Governor Zulum said efforts are being made to mitigate the situation.

“You can see how water completely flooded the area, sewages were completely flooded, that means waterborne diseases would be transmitted but In sha Allah we should get over it.

“As of now, we are yet to ascertain the extent of damage, but about one-fourth of the entire Maiduguri is flooded with water”, he said.

Meanwhile, besides the hundreds of homes that are flooded, the incident has caused significant damage to properties, including farmlands, residential areas, and business premises.

The flood disaster is attributed to the collapse of the Alau dam, which overflowed its banks, sending floodwaters from about 10 kilometres away into the borno state capital, Maiduguri.