By Uzair Adam
President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that the Federal Government would set up a disaster relief fund to provide assistance to Nigerian citizens affected by floods and other natural disasters.
The President made this declaration during his visit to Borno State, where he sympathised with the government and people affected by flooding in various areas due to the overflow of Alau Dam.
He noted the urgency of the fund, citing the unpredictability of climate change and the increasing vulnerability of many regions across the country.
President Tinubu noted that the Federal Government would collaborate with the private sector to establish the relief fund.
He was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who expressed the National Assembly’s willingness to work with the Executive in establishing the fund.
During his visit, Tinubu also stopped by the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanem, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri, and toured the flood-affected areas.
“After visiting the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I’ve been reflecting on how to address disasters like this and the broader effects of climate change.
“There must be a disaster relief fund. I plan to involve the private sector in helping to rebuild the affected areas. If we allocate a small percentage of FAAC to the disaster relief fund, it will strengthen our sense of unity and responsibility,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the governors who provided support to Borno State, including Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo.
He also praised the efforts of various ministries, agencies, security forces, particularly the military, and international organizations working on evacuating victims and offering relief in the state.