The Borno State Relief Disbursement Committee has allocated N18.08 billion in cash and food assistance to 101,330 households affected by the devastating flood in Maiduguri on September 10, 2024. The committee’s chairman, Baba-Bukar Gujibawu, shared this update on Monday during the presentation of the committee’s report to Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.
Gujibawu explained that the committee had raised N18.2 billion through a basket fund, with contributions from the federal and state governments, corporate organisations, and individuals. The Borno State Government alone contributed N10 billion.
The funds were used to support various sectors, with N987 million allocated to assist 7,716 traders, N313 million to 814 worship centres, N213 million to 267 private schools, and N89.4 million to 1,788 youths who volunteered during the disaster. Additionally, N12.5 million was given to 22 private clinics.
Governor Zulum, expressing his gratitude for the support, pledged to implement the committee’s recommendations, including the establishment of a permanent disaster response structure at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). He also instructed the urgent reconstruction of roads damaged by the flood.
The flooding in Maiduguri followed the collapse of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River on September 10, which led to widespread destruction. The disaster claimed over 30 lives, displaced about 400,000 people, and caused severe damage to farmlands and infrastructure. The United Nations and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that around 40% of the city was affected.
