One million displaced by Maiduguri ‘national calamity’ dam burst
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N108 billion for the states to combat natural disasters.
Each state is entitled to N3 billion.
This is coming on the heels of massive flooding ravaging states in the North.
Many Southern states are at risk. Besides flooding, erosion is rampant across the country, especially in the Southeast. Kaduna is also currently battling with erosion.
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has also predicted more rainfall and likelihood of more flooding as the year rolls to an end.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, whose capital city is reeling under the flooding that followed the collapse of Alau Dam water channels, confirmed yesterday he had received N3 billion from the Federal Government to battle the humanitarian crisis.
According to him, no fewer than one million people have been displaced by the gory situation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who temporarily relocated to Maiduguri to support the efforts of the state government to assist victims of the flooding, returned to the Presidential Villa and hosted House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen yesterday.
Shettima described the situation in Maiduguri as a “national calamity”.
Confirming the approval of Mr. President for the disaster management fund, Shettima told the speaker: “The President has shown his zeal, willingness and commitment to partner with the states towards addressing these issues.
“Recently, he approved the release of N3 billion to each state of the federation to address some of these challenges so that all parts of the federation should have buy-in and belonging.”
The speaker promised that the House would give all necessary support to assist the victims.
He said: “We in the National Assembly are looking all through to see what kind of support we will give to the people affected..
“Insha Allah, it will come to pass, and people will go back to their normal lives and businesses as if it did not happen because we and you will make sure that we provide all the palliatives for them to regain their means of livelihood.”
Shettima praised Abbas for his “stellar leadership in the National Assembly”, adding that despite having nearly 70 per cent of the members as newly sworn-in, the Speaker has been able to keep the flag flying.
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