Rep donates N100m to Borno flood victims
The member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency, Borno State, in the House of Representatives, Muktar Betara, has donated N100m to victims of the flood which recently swept through Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
According to multiple reports, 37 persons have been confirmed dead with over 400,000 others displaced owing to the heavy downpour that caused the collapse of the Alau Dam.
Betara, a member of the All Progressives Congress, donated to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State during an on-the-spot assessment of the disaster in Maiduguri on Thursday.
While expressing grief over the death and displacement of thousands of Maiduguri residents, the lawmaker lauded the prompt intervention of Zulum towards cushioning the effects of the tragedy.
Betara, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, expressed solidarity with the victims of the flood and assured that necessary intervention would be provided through relevant institutions to ensure their rehabilitation.
He said: “I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency donate the sum of N100 million to support the affected people of Maiduguri.
“Your Excellency, I on behalf of the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency wish to commiserate with you and the entire state government and all our people who are directly and indirectly affected by this unfortunate flood incident, which led to the untimely death of our dear beloved brothers and sisters.
“As evident, thousands of our people were rendered homeless and their livelihoods washed away. May Almighty Allah condole you and all of us and grant the departed souls of our loved ones aljanah-firdaus.
“I wish to also commend Your Excellency and your cabinet for rallying support for our people who were affected by this unfortunate incident as well as the previous interventions you have initiated to bring succour to the affected people across the state.”
Ahead of the resumption of the National Assembly from its annual vacation; Betara pledged to bring to the knowledge of the House the impact the flood left on the people.
“I will ensure that this flood disaster which remains a major humanitarian crisis is brought to the floor as a matter of urgent public importance when the House resume from the annual recess in the coming weeks,” he assured.
Speaking on the current trend of flooding across the country, NEMA’s Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Zubaida Umar, indicated that 29 States and 172 Local Government Areas have been impacted by flooding, affecting 1,048,312 people, displaced 625,239 and have led to the death of 259 lives.
“This unfortunate and almost unexpected incident requires coordinated response, hence the call for this emergency meeting.
“This occurrence is not in total deviation from the predictions as contained in this year’s annual flood outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency which informed that in July to September 2024, 33 States and 135 LGAs are within flood high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 States and 44 LGAs,” she said.
