President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the establishment of a disaster relief fund to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters. 

President Tinubu who announced this at the Borno Government House when he visited Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its impact. He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund. 

 The President also sympathized with the government; the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters. 

Senate president Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund. 

Our Correspondent, Raliat Adenekan reports that the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zullum thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly NEMA and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims. He also appealed for the reconstruction of the state and general upliftment of the standard of living of Nigerians.

On his part, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence. 

President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.