Zulum Flags Off Distribution Of Relief Materials To Victims Of Maiduguri Flood … Says Relief Account Hits N7.5b
By Bukar BOLORI
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of relief items to victims of Maiduguri flood that was reported to have affected nearly 2 million people.
The flood which resulted from the overflow of Alau dam has left half of Maiduguri and environs submerged in water resulting in unprecedented devastation, with over 30 lives lost, 23,000 residential houses destroyed, and 414,000 people displaced, critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, healthcare facilities, and schools, severely damaged, including approximately one million people losing their source of livelihood.
A press statement on Tuesday by the media team of the governor, said about 5,235 households resident in Gwange 1 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council have benefited from the initial phase of the exercise conducted on Tuesday.
Zulum explained that 587 beneficiaries had their houses completely destroyed, 2,365 households experienced minimal destruction, and another 2,283 were partially affected.
The governor also noted that the interventions would be in three categories.
Those affected minimally received N100,000, a 25kg bag of rice, a 10kg bag of beans, mats, blankets, and mosquito nets.
The other two categories, however, would be compensated commensurate with the destruction in their houses.
Zulum also commended the federal government, various state governments, UN agencies, development and humanitarian partners, corporate entities and individuals for supporting the people of Borno in their time of need.
The occasion was attended by the deputy governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, the secretary to the state government, Malam Bukar Tijani, the head of service, Barrister Malam Fannani, commissioners, and other government officials.
Meanwhile, the governor has acknowledged receiving about N7.5 billion in donations from state governments, individuals, and corporate entities across the country and abroad.
Zulum, had on Monday, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, announced that only about N4.4 billion was credited to the dedicated account opened to support victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster as of Sunday, 22nd September, 2024.
The governor, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, made a commitment to periodically make available to the public details of the donations made to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.
“In the last couple of days, we have received pledges and funds amounting to about N13,195,500,000 as donations through the generosity of individuals, organisations, and institutions. As of today, we have a total sum of about N7.5b of that amount in our account,” Zulum said.
