Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of relief items to victims of Maiduguri flood that affected nearly 2 million people.

The flood occurred earlier this month following an overflow of water from Alau Dam. Initial reports indicate severe destruction of homes and infrastructure. The state government has set up a rapid-response team to assess the damages in phases.

About 5,235 households resident in Gwange 1 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council have benefited from the initial phase of the exercise conducted on Tuesday.

Zulum explained that 587 beneficiaries had their houses completely destroyed, 2,365 households experienced minimal destruction, and another 2,283 were partially affected.

The governor also noted that the interventions would be in three categories. Those affected minimally received N100,000, a 25kg bag of rice, a 10kg bag of beans, mats, blankets, and mosquito nets. The other two categories, however, would be compensated commensurate with the destruction in their houses.

Governor Zulum also commended the federal government, various state governments, UN agencies, development and humanitarian partners, corporate entities and individuals for supporting the people of Borno in their time of need.

The occasion was attended by the deputy governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadafur, the secretary to the state government, Malam Bukar Tijani, the head of service, Barrister Malam Fannani, commissioners, and other government officials.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has acknowledged receiving about N7.5b in donations from state governments, individuals, and corporate entities across the country and abroad.

Zulum, on Monday, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, announced that only about N4.4b was credited to the dedicated account opened to support victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster as of Sunday, 22nd September, 2024.

The governor, during the inauguration of the relief disbursement committee, made a commitment to periodically make available to the public details of the donations made to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.

“In the last couple of days, we have received pledges and funds amounting to about N13,195,500,000 as donations through the generosity of individuals, organisations, and institutions. As of today, we have a total sum of about N7.5b of that amount in our account,” Zulum said.