A committee has been set up by Gov Babagana Zulum of Borno State to oversee the distribution of relief funds and items to assist victims of the recent flooding that severely impacted the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, it was revealed that the committee would include representatives from key organizations such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to guarantee transparency in the disbursement process.
The committee will be chaired by the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Baba Gujubawu, with University of Maiduguri professor, Ibrahim Umara, serving as co-chairman.
Other members include representatives from Civil Society Organizations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), development and humanitarian agencies, as well as His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno.
Governor Zulum called on the committee to carry out its duties with utmost dedication and transparency, stressing the importance of their work in providing relief to the communities affected by the disaster.
Among those contributing to the flood recovery efforts, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is using $3 million in funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support flood victims across the country.
The United States has also intensified its efforts to provide essential humanitarian assistance to thousands of people displaced by the floods in Maiduguri and other areas within the state.
The flood, which has displaced over 414,000 people and claimed several lives, was triggered when the Alau Dam overflowed following heavy rainfall.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the flooding is the worst the region has experienced in the past 30 years.
