President Bola Tinubu says the Federal Government will create a disaster relief fund to assist Nigerians affected by floods and other disasters.
The President made the announcement when he visited Borno to sympathise with the government and people over the flooding in some parts of the state, following the collapse of the Alau Dam.
He said the fund was expedient as the climate had become more unpredictable and many places in the country were vulnerable to its vagaries.
He said the Federal Government would collaborate with the private sector to establish the fund.
Tinubu also visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanem’s palace, Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and also drove through the areas affected by the disaster.
“After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.
“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.
“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging.”
The President thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Gov. of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi Governor, Ahmed Ododo, for supporting Borno.
President Tinubu commended ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, for their rescue efforts in the evacuation of the victims.
He also thanked international organisations working in the state for their supports.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly would collaborate with the Executive to establish the disaster relief fund.
