*Says flood relief account hits N7.5b, over 5,235 victims benefitted so far
*587 beneficiaries had houses completely destroyed, 2,365 households experienced minimal destruction, 2,283 partially affected
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to victims of recent Maiduguri flood disaster which affected nearly two million people living in the metropolis and its environs last week.
The governor who stated this on Tuesday while flagging off the cash disbursement to the victims held at Gwange I Primary School, Zuwa Da Wuri Maiduguri said about 5,235 households resident in Gwange 1 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council have benefited from the initial phase of the exercise conducted so far.
Zulum also explained that 587 beneficiaries had their houses completely destroyed, 2,365 households experienced minimal destruction, and another 2,283 were partially affected.
The governor also noted that the interventions would be in three categories.
Those affected minimally received N100,000, a 25kg bag of rice, a 10kg bag of beans, mats, blankets, and mosquito nets.
The other two categories, however, would be compensated commensurate with the destruction in their houses.
Governor Zulum also commended the federal government, various state governments, UN agencies, development and humanitarian partners, corporate entities and individuals for supporting the people of Borno in their time of need.
The occasion was attended by the deputy governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, the secretary to the state government, Malam Bukar Tijani, the head of service, Barrister Malam Fannani, commissioners, and other government officials.
Governor Zulum further revealed that his government has acknowledged receiving about N7.5b in donations from state governments, individuals, and corporate entities across the country and abroad.
It will be recalled that the flood incident occured following an overflow of water flow from Alau Dam when Initial reports indicated severe destruction of homes and infrastructures took place promoting the state government to urgently set up a rapid-response team to rescue victims by evacuating them to safe places and provide food and water alongside relief materials as well assess extend of damages in phases.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum, on Monday, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, announced that only about N4.4b was credited to the dedicated account opened to support victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster as of Sunday, 22nd September, 2024.
The governor, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, made a commitment to periodically make available to the public details of the donations made to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.
“In the last couple of days, we have received pledges and funds amounting to about N13,195,500,000 as donations through the generosity of individuals, organisations, and institutions. As of today, we have a total sum of about N7.5b of that amount in our account,” Zulum said.
