Tinubu mulls Disaster Relief Fund to combat flooding, others

Less than 24 hours after returning from his foreign trip, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu moved into action over the disastrous flooding in the Northeast, proposing a special fund among other solutions.

He visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which was massively flooded, with over two million people affected and a section of the city underwater.

The President hinted at a plan to create a disaster relief fund to take care of natural disasters, such as the one that wreaked havoc in Maiduguri.

A small percentage of cash from the Federation Account and private sector contributions can make up the relief fund, he suggested.

President Tinubu spoke after inspecting some of the flooded areas and visiting one of the 36 camps (Government Secondary School, Maiduguri), where the displaced persons are quartered.

He made the fund proposal at the Borno Government House in Maiduguri after visiting the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi.

“After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.

“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.

“If we take a small percentage from FAAC (Federation Account Allocation Committee) and put it as a disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said last week that the President released fund totalling N108 billion to the 36 states at N3 billion each to battle flooding.

President Tinubu commended Governor Zulum for his prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the military for the evacuations that saved many lives.

He said: “I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State, and share the burden.

“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame.

“We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest.

“May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth.”

Tinubu also thanked governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto) and Ahmed Ododo(Kogi) as well as other governors who looked beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.

He said Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity.

The President extended his sympathy to the governments of other states, particularly Yobe, “For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” President Tinubu assured.

He gave kudos to all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits involved in the evacuation of victims of the disaster.

President Tinubu also recognised the international organisations working in the states.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President, said the National Assembly would collaborate with the Executive to establish the fund.

Zulum thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the military.

Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for visiting the state after Shettima had earlier represented him.

The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the Alua Dam collapse, which caused the Borno flooding.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and other dignitaries were also in Maiduguri yesterday to sympathise with the Borno people and the government.

Zulum seeks NEMA’s support
Zulum told visiting NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar that the 36 camps created for the displaced victims would be gradually shut as the floods receded.

He called for NEMA management’s support in resetting the flood victims.

The governor said: “The camps will be closed down gradually as the Alau Dam flood water continues to recede.

“Our state suffered a lot from the experience of sustaining camps for more than a decade during the insurgency and will not want to repeat the mistake.

“As the water recedes, we have resolved to provide a two-week food ration for those in the camps because we believe after two weeks things would be okay for many of them to return to their homes.”

Zulum urged NEMA to work with SEMA (Borno State Emergency Management Agency) and the state’s flood committee for proper coordination of the responses to the emergency.

“There’s a need for coordination to get it right since we are all working towards the same objective of bringing succour to the people.

“The State Government and NEMA will take the lead while donors and development partners are to complement them,” Zulum said.

Umar was in the state to identify gaps to be filled.

She said: “We have been able to provide interventions in terms of food and non-food items, water, ambulances, tents, and other things within our capabilities.

“We are still part of the search and rescue team.’’

JNI calls for urgent actions against flooding
The Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) called for urgent humanitarian assistance and proactive measures to prevent future flood disasters.

It lamented that before the recent Borno tragedy, states like Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Kano were affected by ravaging floods.

“The floods have claimed thousands of lives and left many more injured and displaced, while also causing widespread destruction in states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano, and several others,” JNI said in a statement by its Secretary-General Khalid Aliyu.

The group extended its sympathies to the Shehu of Borno and all affected Emirates.

It prayed for the victims and their families and called on well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists, and humanitarian organisations to support those affected through the Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Account with Zenith Bank, Account Number 1313556361.

The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria also urged the Federal Government to reinforce its dams nationwide and implement flood control systems to prevent such large-scale destruction in the future.

“The government must prioritise the construction and reinforcement of life-threatening dams, establish early warning systems, and publicise flood-prone zones for the safety of citizens,” it advised.

Ndume donates N50m to victims
Senate’s former Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Ndume donated N50 million to the Borno flood victims.

Ndume lamented the plight of the victims and appealed to the Federal Government to create emergency feeding centres for the victims.

He said to avert the humanitarian crisis resulting from a high number of residents in the IDP camps, the Federal Government should collaborate with the state government by opening up a bigger feeding centre.

Ndume commended Zulum for creating some camps for displaced victims.

The lawmaker said: “The Alau Dam collapse is not just a Borno issue, but a national disaster. I have never seen this kind of overwhelming disaster.

“I think it will be a herculean task in a couple of days and even weeks for this situation to return to normal.

“Most houses would not survive because they have been submerged, and the foundations have weakened.

“I am calling on all corporate Nigeria to rise and support because the government cannot do it alone.’’

IGP orders reconstruction of damaged police facilities

Inspector-General of Police(IGP) Kayode Egbetokun ordered the repair of police facilities damaged by the floods.

Egbetokun, who was also in Maiduguri, charged policemen in Borno to remain professional and dedicated to their duties.

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