Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum announced a substantial N20 billion allocation aimed at rebuilding infrastructure devastated by the flood disaster that occurred on September 10 and providing relief for affected victims.
The flooding severely impacted the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and surrounding local government areas. During a press briefing at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Governor Zulum inaugurated a committee tasked with investigating the collapse of the Alau Dam.
The governor outlined that half of the allocated funds, totaling N10 billion, will be dedicated to directly assisting flood victims. This initiative aims to offer essential support to help them rebuild their lives after the disaster.
To ensure effective distribution, Zulum instructed that the N10 billion be deposited into the state’s relief account, overseen by a disbursement committee that includes representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and various security agencies.
The remaining N10 billion will be transferred to the Ministry of Works and Housing to facilitate the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
In his address, Zulum expressed appreciation to the federal government for its unwavering support during the crisis. “I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the federal government for their generous assistance, including significant food donations from the Ministry of Agriculture,” he remarked.
The governor also extended his gratitude to individuals, other state governments, corporate organizations, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their contributions to Borno’s relief efforts.
### Committee on Alau Dam Collapse Given 4 Weeks to Report
Governor Zulum announced a four-week deadline for the newly formed committee investigating the Alau Dam’s collapse to present its findings.
During the inauguration in Maiduguri, the 28-member committee, led by former Chad Basin Development Authority Managing Director Engr Abba Garba, was charged with assessing the dam’s condition and identifying the causes of its failure.
Despite the floodwaters receding, the dam continues to overflow, threatening economic stability for local communities reliant on its resources for both domestic use and agriculture.
Zulum emphasized the need for immediate action to address the dam’s ongoing outflow, which hinders its primary functions. He instructed the committee to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the dam’s structural integrity, the extent of damage, and necessary remedial measures to prevent further issues, including a cost analysis for proposed solutions.
The governor insisted that the committee’s recommendations be aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
“The committee has four weeks from the inauguration date to submit its comprehensive report to the Executive Governor of Borno State,” he stated.
In response, the committee chairman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and assured the governor of their commitment to diligently investigate the issues at hand. “We recognize the seriousness of this situation and will work to deliver our recommendations within the given timeframe,” he affirmed.
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