Unfortunately, out of the total of N13.1 billion in donations and promises received for the flood victims, the Borno State Government has revealed that just N4.4 billion are currently available.
In the aftermath of the catastrophic flood that hit Maiduguri on September 10, numerous organizations, groups, and people came together to make the generous donations.
Professor Usman Tar, the Borno State Government’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, briefed the press on Monday at the Flood Disaster Situation Room at the state government’s headquarters.
In his statement, he detailed how the recently established Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee—composed of members from anti-corruption organizations, traditional and religious leaders, and federal and state agencies—has been entrusted with the available monies.
“It is an all encompassing committee with members from Federal and State Agencies, technocrats, traditional and religious leaders as well as representatives from the military, police, NSCDC, DSS, EFCC, ICPC among others.
“This morning, the Governor flagged-off cash support to the first batch of households for the commencement of rebuilding their homes,” Tar said.
On the same day, the governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, began the process of rehabilitating the homes of flood victims by launching a program to provide financial aid to impacted households.
Those impacted have already received food and money aid to last them two weeks, and more bundles of support are expected.
Questions regarding the flood’s impact on the displaced and the management of relief camps were also discussed by Professor Tar. As the floodwaters recede, some victims have returned home.
However, he denied claims that “Nobody was forced to leave the camp nor compelled to stay in the camp, if he/she felt like going back home as water had receded in most area. What the government intended to do is to merge some camps.
About 40 per cent of the camps are schools, so, we want to merge some camps by moving those occupying schools to other depopulated camps for students to resume school,” he said.
The commissioner also spoke about many other victims that refused to go to any of the camps, instead, they decided to sleeping on the streets, filling stations and business premises.
In an effort to help them and get them to safer, more organized camps, the government has started to register these people.
Individuals residing along Baga Road will be sent to the Gubio camp, while those residing along Custom and Bama Roads will be transferred to the Muna and Dalori camps, respectively.
Finally, the commissioner asked for understanding and collaboration as the state and its partners try to aid flood victims through several programs.
