The Borno State Government has announced that it has received N4.4 billion out of the N13.1 billion pledged for victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster.
This amount represents 33.59%, one-third, of the total donations pledged to support those affected by the devastating floods that hit Maiduguri earlier this year.
Prof. Usman Tar, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, provided this update during a press briefing at the Flood Disaster Situation Room in Maiduguri.
Prof. Tar revealed that the funds received so far have been handed over to the newly inaugurated Disaster Relief Disbursement Committee.
This committee includes representatives from federal and state agencies, security forces, and other key stakeholders involved in the flood relief efforts.
“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,” Prof. Tar explained.
As part of efforts to help flood victims rebuild their lives, Zulum has officially launched cash support for households affected by the flood.
The cash disbursements are part of the government’s broader initiative to assist flood victims in resettling back into their homes.
Many families have been displaced by the floodwaters, and the government is working to help them rebuild their homes as quickly as possible.
In addition to the cash support, food items have been distributed to the victims. These food packages are designed to sustain affected families for the next two weeks, while more assistance is planned in the coming days.
Prof. Tar stressed the government’s commitment to continuing these support programs, saying, “We are making every effort to ensure that those affected by the floods receive the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives.”
Responding to concerns raised about the closure of flood relief camps, Prof. Tar clarified that no flood victims were forced to leave any of the camps.
According to him, many of the flood victims who had received cash and food assistance voluntarily left the camps, as the floodwaters have receded in many areas of the city.
He acknowledged that some flood victims are currently sleeping in public spaces, such as streets, filling stations, and business premises.
However, the government has already begun registering these individuals and providing them with the necessary support.
The government is encouraging these victims to move to designated camps where they can receive better aid distribution and proper shelter.
Prof. Tar also addressed the issue of camps currently housed in schools. He revealed that about 40% of the flood relief camps are located in schools, and the government plans to merge some of the camps to allow students to resume their classes.
“We want to merge some camps by moving those occupying the schools to other depopulated camps, to enable students to resume school,” the commissioner said.
Prof. Tar appealed to the public to remain patient as the government continues its efforts to alleviate the plight of flood victims. He stressed the need for continued cooperation with government officials and partner organizations working on the ground to ensure that relief efforts are carried out smoothly.
“We are working hard to support flood victims, but we ask for patience and cooperation from everyone,” Prof. Tar urged.
He explained that the government is closely coordinating with various agencies to ensure that relief is delivered effectively and fairly to all who need it.
The Maiduguri floods have caused significant devastation, displacing thousands of residents and damaging homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
In response to the disaster, prominent individuals and organizations have stepped forward with substantial donations to assist with the recovery efforts.
Among the funds received so far, N4.4 billion has been distributed to support immediate relief efforts for those affected by the floods. However, much more is needed to fully address the scale of the disaster.
Borno State has also received funding from the Ecological Fund, a federal government initiative designed to address environmental challenges and natural disasters, including floods.
Earlier this year, Borno State received N816.34 million from the Ecological Fund between January and June 2024. However, concerns have been raised about how effectively these funds are being used.
According to reports, only N20 million was spent on flood control during the first half of 2024. This represents just 2.45% of the total ecological allocation, raising questions about the state’s preparedness for flood management and response.
Even more concerning is the fact that no funds from the ecological allocation were spent during the first quarter of 2024. The amount that was spent on flood control was used only in the second quarter of the year.
This has drawn criticism from observers, who question why Borno’s budget allocation for flood control and erosion management remains largely underutilized.
The state’s revised budget for 2024 earmarked N1.653 billion for flood control, but so far, only 1.2% of that budget has been spent.
This raises serious concerns about Borno’s ability to address recurrent flooding and manage the ecological challenges that continue to affect the region.
