By Sam Kayode
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum on Saturday announced the allocation of N20 billion to reconstruct critical infrastructure damaged by the September 10 flood disaster in Maiduguri.
The funds, the Governor noted, were also meant to assist residents who lost the basics of life including shelter, clothing and even foodstuffs which was all swept away by the raging flood.
The flood which affected parts of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and surrounding council areas took over the entire city centre including the famous Monday market which also suffered from massive fire recently.
Zulum made the announcement over the weekend at the Council Chamber of the Government House while inaugurating the committee to determine the cause of the collapse of the Alau Dam.
“Fifty percent of the fund, which is N10 billion, will be allocated for direct assistance to the flood victims with a view to providing them with the needed support to pick up the pieces of their lives.” Said a release from the media team in the government house.
The Governor directed that the N10 billion be credited to the state’s relief account and handled by the disbursement committee, which includes the EFCC and ICPC as well as security agencies.
The remaining N10 billion, was handed over to the state’s Ministry of Works and Housing which is expected to begin supervision of the fixing of most of the infrastructure within greater Maiduguri.
In his remarks, Zulum expressed gratitude to the federal government for its tireless support it gave the state during the height of the flood disaster.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu for all the support, from the quantum of food donated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.
The Governor equally appreciated individuals, state governments, corporate entities, INGOs, and NGOs for supporting Borno during its time of need.
“I want to also commend everyone who has contributed to our basket fund,” the governor stated.
Meanwhile Governor Zulum has directed the committee constituted to determine the cause of the Alau Dam’s collapse to submit its report within four weeks
The 28 member committee is chaired by Engr Abba Garba, a former Managing Director of the Chad Basin Development Authority.
The Governor maintained that despite the fact that the flood had receded, the dam continues to flow, posing a dangerous economic threat to the state and inhabitants using the dam’s resources for domestic and dry-season farming.
He stressed that urgent steps must be taken to address the continuous outflow of the dam to enable it to serve its primary purpose which is to supply drinking water to the city and agricultural uses.
Zulum, therefore, directed the committee to undertake a preliminary assessment of the dam to determine the immediate and remote causes of the 2024 Alau Dam collapse, its structural integrity, the extent of its damage, the remedial action required to forestall the persistence of the dam’s outflow, the cost implications for the immediate remedial action.
The Governor further charged the committee to make useful recommendations to forestall future occurrences that will be so detrimental to resident not the capital city.
He also said that committee shall have four weeks from the date of inauguration to submit its report to the Governor of Borno State.
Responding, on behalf of others, the Chairman of the committee expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for finding them worthy of serving the state.
He said, “ Each of us here is conscious of the gravity of the problem, and I would like to thank you for finding us worthy to serve on this very important committee.
” I assure you that we are going to look into the terms of reference, deliberate on it, and come up with our recommendations within the stipulated time.”
