In the aftermath of the devastations caused by the recent flood menace in Borno State, the Federal Government has announced the setting up of Disaster Relief Fund.
The fund, as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at assisting those impacted by floods and other occurrences.
The president announced the setting up of the fund on Monday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, when he visited the state to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam.
President Tinubu, who urged the private sector to contribute to the fund, said the relief fund was already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied Tinubu on the visit, said the National Assembly would collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.
Tinubu also visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster.
President Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, was quoted as saying, “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 and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.
The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.
He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity. The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters.
“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,” the President assured.
The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.
“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.
