– Pledges N17.6bn in New Funds to States and Agencies
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday morning, President Goodluck Jonathan addressed the nation on the issue of the gales of flood disasters that has swept across Nigeria in recent weeks, rendering thousands homeless and destroying businesses and infrastructure.
Expressing his deep sadness over the natural disaster, the president said his government was already working hard to contain the effects on Nigerians.
He cited the constitution of a technical committee that is already in place, travelling around the country to assess the extent of destruction and to take immediate actions and recommendation to assist Nigerians in the affected communities.
Mr. Jonathan said that the federal aid rendered to each community will be vary depending on the impact of disaster seen in each of these communities. He therefore said that assistance rendered has been categorized from levels A through D.
To this effect, the government has released N17.6 billion in emergency funds to take care of the immediate needs of the most impacted communities.
“All category A States will receive N500 million each, category B States, N400 million each, category C States N300 million each and category D States, N250 million each, said the president in his 7am broadcast.
“Category A states include Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.
“Category B, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River, Edo, Lagos and Imo.
Category C, Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers.s
He said the Ministry of Works had spent N556 million to repair collapsed bridges and reconstruction of bye-passes, while the Ministry of Environment had spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.
In other to raise more funds to assist victims of flood across Nigeria, the president said that his government has liaised with Nigerians in the private sector to establish what he called the National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation.
Although a full list of members of the committee is yet to be announced, Mr. Jonathan revealed that it will be co-chaired by Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, while Mr. Mike Adenuga, Jr. will serve as the Chief Funds Mobilizer.
Thanking everyone who has rendered some form of aid in the face of the major flood disaster, including government personnel and state governors, the president said what he sees is a reflection of the “humanitarian and compassionate” and spirit of Nigerians to always come together in the time of critical challenges.