Sam Kaye
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has said that the entire maiduguri metropolis will undergo street naming soon.
He made the remark while receiving the report from the flood committee he set up to alleviate the suffering of residents who lost lives and billions in terms of material things to the flood.
Zulum stated that apart from the fact that the floods destroyed many streets and bridges, there was need to demarcate the entire greater maiduguri and open the roads so that the electric taxi system he has introduced will expand properly.
The governor therefore directed the Secretary to the State Government to devise modalities for proper capturing of street names and the numbering of houses in all the wards within the entire metropolis.
The Governor also directed the Ministry of Works to immediately reconstruct the road networks destroyed by flood in the capital because it was his intention to open the town further so that more electric vehicles will be brought in to assist commuters traverse the city.
Governor Zulum assured the committee of his willingness to implement all the recommendations submitted, adding that the immediate activation of a permanent disaster response structure would take off at the state emergency management agency (SEMA).
Zulum commended the federal government for its huge support to victims of Maiduguri flood disaster adding that his gratitude also goes to President Bola Tinubu for his leadership over the people of Borno during the flood disaster.
Providing further details on the fund’s disbursement to the Governor at the council chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri on Monday, the Chairman of the committee, Engr Baba Gujibawu, revealed that ₦18.08 billion was distributed in cash to the displaced households alongside food and non-food items.
” Contributions totalling ₦4.3 billion from UNHCR, WFP, FAO, UNDP, WHO UNICEF and other partners were instrumental in addressing immediate needs of residents.” He stressed.
Gujibawu emphasised that over one million people were affected by the recent flood, with 101,330 households displaced.
The disaster also resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure, farmlands and the loss of human lives which according to the state emergency management agency (SEMA) amounted to over 150 residents.
He said the committee received a total of ₦28.2 billion through a basket fund supported by the Federal and State Governments, corporate organisations and individuals.
” This includes a significant ₦10 billion contribution from Borno State Government. In addition, the committee received donations of drugs, medical supplies, food and other essential items valued at billions of naira.
“The committee also allocated ₦987 million to assist 7,716 traders in affected markets, ₦313 million to 814 worship centres, ₦213 million to 267 private schools, ₦89.4 million to 1,788 youths who contributed during the flood, and ₦12.5 million to 22 private clinics”, Gujbawu stated.
The committee recommended that the remaining ₦4.45 billion be used to rehabilitate earth roads in flood-hit areas, including the Gongulong and Old Maiduguri roads. The remaining food and non-food items will be distributed to host communities.
Engr. Gujbawu expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Zulum for his non-interference in the committee’s work and commended members for their dedication and resilience while carrying out their duties.