FG Targets N100bn For Flood Victims …As Jonathan Visits Delta, Today

Co-Chairman of the National Committee on Flood Relief and
Rehabilitation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,
says his committee plans to generate N100 billion for flood ravaged
states and victims.

Dangote, who was fielding questions from newsmen yesterday
in Abuja, shortly after the inauguration of the committee by President Goodluck
Jonathan, expressed the readiness of the committee to raise the amount to
complement government’s efforts at mitigating the effects of the disaster.

He said the fund would be raised from both local and
international donors.

“What we are expecting next is for goodies to come, we are
actually going to meet and we will try as much as possible to raise funds both
locally and internationally to complement government’s effort in terms of
making sure that our fellow Nigerians do not really suffer from this
devastating calamity.

“We will go round and (we will) see what needs to be done
and also what government should do so that this thing does not reoccur again.

Dangote solicited the support and cooperation of all well
meaning individuals and organisations in the realisation of the committee’s
objectives.

He said that the provision of relief materials and
rehabilitation of flood victims should not be seen as the responsibility of
government alone.

Dangote assured the flood victims that funds realised by the
committee would be judiciously spent.

Nonetheless reprieve came the way of flood victims across
the country as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed the provision of
comprehensive rehabilitation and befitting resettlement for them.

Jonathan spoke at the inauguration of National Committee for
Flood Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation at the Council Chamber of the
Presidential Villa.

The 34-member committee, co-chaired by business mogul,
Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), is charged with the
responsibility, among others, to raise funds to augment government efforts at
cushioning the effects of the flood.

The president said that government was concerned about the
post-flooding conditions of the victims and would ensure that they did not
remain in shanty camps.

The president re-assured that government would do everything
possible to ameliorate the impact of the flood.

Responding on behalf of others, Dangote thanked the
president for honouring them to serve the nation at this critical time.

He commended government for the efforts made so far in the
allocation of fund and materials for the relief and rehabilitation of victims.

The committee, expected to operate from the office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has the CEO of Globacom, Dr Mike
Adenuga as the chief fund mobiliser.

Other members include, Alhaji Isiaku Rabiu of IRS Airline,
Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Ngo Hannatu Cholum, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, Prof. Dora
Akunyili, and Mr Tony Elumelu.

Others are secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, a
representative each from Christians Association of Nigeria, National Council
for Islamic Affairs, UNDP, EU, DFID and USAID.

Also in the committee are, permanent secretaries of Federal
Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Works, Agriculture, Health, Finance
and National Planning.

The Director-General, NEMA, acting Commissioner of the
National Commission for Refugees, Permanent Secretary of Ecological Funds
Office, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties and Chairman, House
Committee on Environment are also members.

Other members of the committee are representatives of the
Nigerian Union of Journalists and National Council of Women Societies; Ms
Fatima Wali, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr. Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa and Mr. Tunde Lemo
representing the CBN.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan will today visit
Delta State to assess the impact of flood, which sacked many communities,
killed more than 15 persons and rendered thousands of people homeless.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed this at the Government
House, Asaba, during a midnight meeting with political office holders in the
state.

The president’s visit to the state is part of his proposed
tour of states ravaged by flood in the country.

Uduaghan said that the president would use an aircraft to
fly over the affected areas in Ijaw land and Isoko land “because they are all
under water right now”.

He said that the president would also inspect camps where
persons displaced by the flood were being quartered in Warri, Oleh and Asaba,
adding that the president would proceed to Anambra from Asaba.

Uduaghan said that all persons affected by the flood in
Burutu and Bomadi areas would be moved to camps in Warri.

He, therefore, directed the state government’s committee on
the flood disaster to ensure that toilets were provided in all the camps.

The governor said: “Mobile toilets must be evacuated two
times a day”.

He charged the Ministry of Water Resources Development to
ensure that water was made available in all the camps.