Hon. Muktar Betara, a member of the House of Representatives for the Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency in Borno State, has donated N100 million to victims of the recent flood in Maiduguri, the state’s capital.
According to several accounts, 37 people have been confirmed deceased, with over 400,000 homeless as a result of the severe downpour that caused the Alau Dam to collapse, in Borno State.
Betara, an All Progressives Congress member, made a donation to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum during an on-the-spot disaster assessment in Maiduguri on Thursday.
While expressing sympathy over the deaths and displacement of hundreds of Maiduguri citizens, the congressman praised Zulum’s swift response in mitigating the effects of the tragedy.
Betara, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, expressed empathy with the flood victims and promised that essential assistance will be offered through relevant authorities to enable their rehabilitation.
He said, “I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, and the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency, donate the sum of N100 million to support the affected people of Maiduguri.
“Your Excellency, I, on behalf of the good people of Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency, wish to commiserate with you and the entire state government and all our people who are directly and indirectly affected by this unfortunate flood incident, which led to the untimely death of our dear beloved brothers and sisters.
“As evident, thousands of our people were rendered homeless and their livelihoods washed away. May Almighty Allah condole you and all of us and grant the departed souls of our loved ones aljanah-firdaus.
“I wish to also commend Your Excellency and your cabinet for rallying support for our people who were affected by this unfortunate incident as well as the previous interventions you have initiated to bring succour to the affected people across the state.”
Before the National Assembly resumed its annual vacation, Betara promised to bring to the House’s attention the damage the flood had on the people.
“I will ensure that this flood disaster, which remains a major humanitarian crisis, is brought to the floor as a matter of urgent public importance when the House resumes from the annual recess in the coming weeks,” he assured.
Speaking about the current flooding trend in the country, NEMA’s Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stated that flooding has affected 29 states and 172 local government areas, affecting 1,048,312 people, displacing 625,239, and killing 259 people.
“This unfortunate and almost unexpected incident requires coordinated response, hence the call for this emergency meeting.
“This occurrence is not in total deviation from the predictions as contained in this year’s annual flood outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which informed that in July to September 2024, 33 states and 135 LGAs are within flood-high-risk areas, while the period between October and November has 19 states and 44 LGAs,” she said.
