Borno receives ₦4.4 billion out of ₦13.1 billion donated to flood victims
On Monday, the Borno Government announced that only ₦4.4 billion of the ₦13.1 billion pledged for Maiduguri flood victims is currently available.
Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, shared this update at the Borno State Government Flood Disaster Situation Room.
He stated that the funds have been entrusted to a newly established Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee, composed of reputable individuals, for distribution to the affected victims.
“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, and ICPC, among others.”
“This morning, the governor launched cash support for the first batch of households to commence rebuilding their homes,” Tar said.
According to him, victims who received food items and cash support to last them for two weeks should expect another package of assistance.
READ ALSO: Police, EFCC, DSS, others join Borno’s flood relief distribution
The commissioner stated that many victims, particularly those who received cash and food in the camps, had returned home, contrary to claims that they were forced to leave the camps.
He stated that nobody was forced to leave the camp or compelled to stay; if they felt like going home, they could do so since the floodwaters had receded in most areas of the city.
He stated that the government intended to merge some camps.
“About 40 percent of the camps are schools, so we want to consolidate some by relocating those occupying the schools to other depopulated camps to enable students to resume classes,” he said.
Mr. Tar also mentioned that many victims refused to go to the camps and instead slept in the streets, filling stations, and private businesses.
He noted that the government had begun registering these individuals and providing support, aiming to encourage them to move to the camps.
He added that those on Baga Road would be encouraged to go to Gubio Camp, while those in the Custom area and along Bama Road would be directed to Muna and Dalori camps, respectively.
He called for patience and support for the government and other partners engaged in various interventions to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
Organizations, groups, and individuals have continued to donate funds to the state government and the one million victims of the September 10 flood that destroyed thousands of buildings in Maiduguri.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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