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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the release of N20 billion as relief to thousands of people affected by the recent massive flood and for the repairs of public infrastructure damaged by the disaster.
Zulum announced the release in Maiduguri while inaugurating a technical committee constituted by the state government to unravel the actual cause of the collapse of a dam that led to devastating floods in Maiduguri and three adjourning local government areas between September 10 and 13.
The Alau Dam’s located about 15 kilometers South East of Maiduguri city had collapsed on September 9, pushing massive water out of the dam. The flood caused huge damage to homes, hospitals, schools, government offices and public infrastructure.
The government put the number of deaths at 47 but residents said more than 60 people were killed with dozens still missing. An estimated two million people were displaced with roughly 200,000 severely or minimally affected.
Zulum said N10 billion will be used to support affected persons repair their homes and businesses. He directed the money be transferred into the flood relief committee account with the supervision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) which also have representative’s in the committee.
The governor said the balance of N10 billion will be used for repairs of public information including roads, electricity facility, water supply, State Secretariat and.other state offices destroyed by the flood. “Let me use this opportunity to commend the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all the support, from the quantum of food donated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.”
He asked the 28-member technical committee on the collapsed dam to submit its report to him in four weeks
