By Okeke Eunice
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives turned down a proposal for a N300 billion allocation from the Federal Government to address the humanitarian crisis in Borno State caused by flooding in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Honorable Fm reported that the severe flooding resulting from the collapse of the Alau Dam caused the deaths of more than 30 people, with significant damage to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, the Maiduguri Correctional Centre, and other public facilities.
During Wednesday’s plenary session, lawmaker Amos Magaji, who represents the Jaba/Zangon/Kataf Federal Constituency, presented a motion of urgent public importance, expressing concern about the effects of the flooding, which impacted homes, markets, and numerous health facilities.
Highlighting the effects of the flood on the Maiduguri University Teaching Hospital, Magaji pointed out that the tertiary health facility had become inaccessible to the public.
He stated, “The well-known Cancer Centre at the facility, recognized as one of the largest in the country, was flooded, resulting in damage to all its advanced equipment. Additionally, the lower-level wards were significantly flooded, leading to the destruction of medical records, administrative files, and many other items.”
“The electricity supply at the facility has been severely disrupted, primarily due to safety measures implemented to prevent electrocution, as transformers and other power sources were also submerged in the flood.”
He contended that without immediate action to address the damage to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, “the residents of Borno State face a significant risk of suffering from disease outbreaks as a result of the flooding.”
In support of the motion, Inuwa Garba, the lawmaker representing Yamaltu Deba Federal Constituency in Gombe State, suggested an amendment calling for the Federal Government to provide a special grant of N300 billion to help alleviate the impact of the humanitarian disaster on flood victims.
Inuwa stated, “Although individuals can keep making their donations, the Federal Government should allocate a special grant of approximately N300 billion to support the victims of the Maiduguri flood.”
However, when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, called for a voice vote on the amendment, lawmakers voted against it. Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to provide assistance to the victims to the best of its ability, without specifying an amount.
In rejecting Inuwa’s amendment, the House argued that government agencies and concerned Nigerians had already contributed significantly, with donations amounting to billions of naira and various other interventions.
Honorable Fm reports that the Borno State government has received a minimum of N17 billion in monetary donations and pledges, including N3 billion from the Federal Government.
After adopting the motion, the House called on the Federal Government to meet the needs of the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, restore the Shehu of Borno Palace, the Maiduguri Correctional Centre, and other health facilities impacted by the flood.
It tasked its committees on Health Institutions, Power, Renewable Energy, Insurance and Actuarial Matters, and Legislative Compliance with ensuring strict adherence to this mandate.