Maiduguri flood committee disburses over N18bn to 101,330 households

By Usman Abubakar, Maiduguri

The September 10 Maiduguri flood relief disbursement committee has so far disbursed about N18.08b distributed to over 101,330 affected families.
Providing details on the fund’s disbursement to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri, Monday, December 30, the Chairman of the committee, Engr Baba Bukar Gujibawu, revealed that N18.08 billion was distributed in cash to the displaced households alongside food and non-food items.
He said contributions totalling N4.3 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. The disaster also resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure and farmlands and the loss of human lives.
He said the committee received a total of N28.2 billion through a basket fund supported by the Federal and State Governments, corporate organisations and individuals.
This includes a significant N10 billion contribution from Borno State Government. In addition, the committee received donations of drugs, medical supplies, food and other essential items valued at billions of naira.
“The committee also allocated N987 million to assist 7,716 traders in affected markets, N313 million to 814 worship centres, N213 million to 267 private schools, N89.4 million to 1,788 youths who contributed during the flood, and N12.5 million to 22 private clinics”, Gujbawu stated.
The committee recommended that the remaining N4.45 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.
Engr. Gujbawu expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for his non-interference in the committee’s work and commended members for their dedication and resilience.
Responding, Governor Zulum, while receiving the report, 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.