Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, has received the final report of the flood relief disbursement committee, which oversaw the distribution of ₦18.08 billion to over 101, 330 displaced households.
Presenting the report at the Government House, Maiduguri, the committee’s Chairman, Baba Gujibawu, detailed the cash disbursement alongside food and non-food items provided to flood-affected families.
He explained that contributions worth ₦4.3 billion from international organizations like UNHCR, WFP, FAO, and UNDP, played a critical role in addressing the immediate needs of the households impacted by the devastating floods.
Gujibawu disclosed that the recent floods affected over 1 million residents, displacing 101, 330 households and destroying infrastructure, farmlands, including claiming lives.
The committee he added, received ₦28.2 billion through a basket fund supported by the federal and state governments, corporate organizations, and private donors. This included ₦10 billion from the Borno State Government and significant donations of food, medical supplies, and essential items.
The funds released to various groups as reeled out by the committee include, ₦987 million to 7, 716 traders in affected markets; ₦313 million to 814 worship centers; ₦213 million to 267 private schools; ₦89.4 million to 1, 788 youths who aided in rescue and emergency efforts during the floods, and ₦12.5 million to 22 private clinics.
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The committee also recommended that ₦4.45 billion be used for rehabilitating flood-damaged earth roads, including the Gongulong and Old Maiduguri Roads, while remaining the supplies should be distributed to host communities.
Gujibawu praised Gov. Zulum for allowing the committee to operate independently and commended its members for their dedication.
Gov. Zulum, in response, pledged to implement the committee’s recommendations. He directed the immediate activation of a permanent disaster response structure within the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and ordered the state Ministry of Works to begin reconstructing damaged road networks.
Additionally, he tasked the secretary to the state government to embark on improving the naming of streets and house numbering across Maiduguri metropolis and its environs.
