Flood: Jonathan gives Nigerian states N13.3 billion

EROMOSELE EBHOMELE

President Goodluck Jonathan this morning announced that some states of the federation including Lagos, which have been ravaged by flood, would get a total of N17. 6 billion in direct financial assistance.

The President made this announcement in a nation-wide broadcast in which he lamented the impact of the flood on many lives, homes and farmlands saying the destruction was massive.

He said the affected states would receive a total of N13. 3 billion while the federal government agencies in charge of flood management and assistance would receive N4. 3 billion.

The states were categorised into four groups depending on the impact of the flood on their residents.

While category A states including Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra would get N500 million each, category B states including Lagos, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross Rivers, Edo and Imo would get N400 million each.

Category C states including Kwara, Katsina, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Gombe, Abia and Rivers would receive N300 million each

Category D states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Osun, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Ekiti, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory would get N250 million each.

The President also said that since the beginning of the flood, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) had spent N1.214 billion on providing immediate welfare and relief for the affected victims.

He also said the Minister of Works had spent N556 million for repairs of collapsed bridges and the construction of by-passes while the Minister of Environment had spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.

The agencies allocated funds by the President included Ministry of Works, N2.6 billion; NEMA, N1.1 billion; Ministry of Environment, N350 million, National Commission for Refugees, N150 million; Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment, N100 million.

“I have also set up a committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to assist the federal government to raise funds to mitigate the pains and ensure the effective prompt impact of rehabilitation of victims.

“This committee will be co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba while Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr) will serve as the Chief Fund Mobiliser,” he said adding that the members of the committees would be announced later today.

While commending state governments, the National Assembly, faith-based organisations and the civil society for coming to the rescue of the affected citizens of the state, he said their gesture showed the love that exists among the citizens of the country especially in times of trouble.

“It is sad that this global phenomenon of devastating flood has come too Nigeria at this time.

“I want to reassure Nigerians that the federal government is geared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster,” President Jonathan said.