Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has approved N108 billion for the 36 states of the federation to tackle flooding and other natural disasters.
This was stated on Wednesday by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Receiving the Speaker of the House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the Vice President described the situation in Maiduguri as a “national calamity”.
“The President has shown his zeal, willingness and commitment to partner with the states towards addressing these issues,” Shettima said.
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“Recently, he approved the release of N3 billion to each state of the federation to address some of these challenges so that all parts of the federation should have buy-in and belonging.”
Shettima also commended the Speaker for what he described as his “stellar leadership in the National Assembly,” saying despite having nearly 70 per cent of the members as newly sworn-in, the Speaker has been able to keep the flag flying.
“There is a lot of stability in the House of Representatives, and we have to commend you for providing that leadership. We wish you well and, Insha Allah, you are one of the fulcrums of our democratic journey.
“A harmonious relationship among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary is very essential to sustain democracy in Nigeria. Once again, thank you most sincerely on behalf of the President, the government and people of Borno for your show of empathy and support,” he said.
On his part, Tajudeen commiserated with Shettima, Tinubu, the government and people of Borno State, assuring that the National Assembly will provide support for the affected community.
“We in the National Assembly are looking all through to see what kind of support we will give to the people affected. We are very sorry, Your Excellency, for what happened. We share your pains; we share your concerns; we are together in this from the beginning to the end.
“Insha Allah, it will come to pass, and people will go back to their normal lives and businesses as if it did not happen because we and you will make sure that we provide all the palliatives for them to regain their means of livelihood. Thank you, Your Excellency; please, convey our sincere concerns to the Governor and to the people of Borno State,” he said.
Akpabio condoles Bauchi, Borno flooding victims
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has condoled the government and people of Borno and Bauchi states over the devastating flood disasters in their states.
The Senate President’s spokesman, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, in a statement in Abuja, said his boss sympathised with the victims and governments of the affected states.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on behalf of his family, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the entire National Assembly, extends his deepest sympathies to the Vice President, Government of Borno and Bauchi states, Distinguished Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and Traditional Rulers whose districts are affected, and the entire people who are directly or indirectly affected by these devastating flood disasters in these states.
“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods due to this unprecedented natural disaster. We pray for the souls of the departed and offer our support to those struggling to cope with the aftermath.
“We commend the efforts of the Federal Government, the Borno and Bauchi state governments, the emergency actors, and humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to provide relief and assistance to the affected communities,” the statement reads.
Akpabio pledged the support of the Senate to the governments of the affected states and the Federal Government in providing relief to the victims and other efforts to restore their lives to normalcy.
The flooding, which started about a week ago, worsened on Tuesday in the North-East states, particularly in Maiduguri.
For example, in Bauchi State, the government confirmed the deaths of 24 people, with many homes destroyed while more than 300 farmlands were reportedly lost.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led a federal government delegation to Maiduguri on Tuesday to express the sympathy of President Bola Tinubu to the state and the people.
The visit came as the authorities sent out warning alarms to residents to stay away from the flooded areas because of dangerous reptiles, including crocodiles, that had been washed away from zoos and other places they had been kept.
