Borno flood: Reps reject proposal for N300bn grant to victims

The House of Representatives Wednesday rejected a proposal requesting a special grant of N300 billion from the federal government to aid victims of the recent flood in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The decision came after an amendment to a motion aimed at securing federal intervention in light of the severe impact of the flood on the residents of Borno and surrounding areas.

During the plenary session on Wednesday, Amos Magaji, the representative for the Jaba/Zangon Kataf Federal Constituency, introduced a motion of urgent public importance, highlighting the devastation wrought by the floods on homes, markets, and numerous health facilities.

Inuwa Garba, the representative for Yamaltu Deba Federal Constituency in Gombe State, proposed an amendment advocating for a N300 billion grant to support the flood victims and mitigate the humanitarian crisis.

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“While individual donations are commendable, the federal government should also allocate a special grant of approximately N300 billion,” Inuwa stated.

However, when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote on the amendment, the lawmakers ultimately voted against it. 

Instead, the House encouraged the federal government to assist the victims to the fullest extent possible, without specifying a monetary amount.

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Health to intervene in mitigating the devastation of the flood on the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and other health facilities in the state.

The House asked the Federal Ministry of Power to promptly restore electricity supply to the hospital and take additional measures to intervene in mitigating the impact of the disaster.

The House also directed all relevant sectors concerned to ensure the insurance of all medical equipment and infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary hospitals.

The lawmakers asked the federal government to extend the interventions to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility which was also affected by the flood.