Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum approached the State House of Assembly with a formal request for an additional N61 billion in funding, on Friday.
This request comes as part of efforts to amend the 2024 appropriation act, which had initially approved a total budget of N358.7 billion when it was signed into law on January 10, 2024.
The governor’s plea for supplementary funding was presented on the floor of the State Assembly by the Speaker, Abdulkarim Lawan.
The additional funds are being sought primarily to address the severe infrastructural damage caused by the devastating flood that hit the state on September 10, 2024.
The flood, which affected nearly 2 million people, submerged large parts of Maiduguri, the state capital, and several surrounding Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The proposed N61 billion in additional funding will focus on the reconstruction of key infrastructure, including bridges, road networks, and hospitals, which were severely impacted by the floodwaters.
The supplementary budget is also intended to support other critical government expenditures, such as emergency relief efforts and humanitarian aid for displaced persons.
In addition, the funds will be directed towards supporting farmers who have suffered significant losses, facilitating the state’s economic recovery, and addressing environmental concerns that have arisen as a result of the flood.
On Thursday, Governor Zulum led a team to assess the extent of the destruction across the state, with a particular focus on the damaged bridges, roads, and hospitals.
During the assessment, the governor remarked on the vast scale of the damage, noting that the flooding had caused widespread devastation in the affected areas.
The Borno State House of Assembly, in response to the governor’s request, has extended its sympathy and condolences to the victims of the flood.
The lawmakers also expressed their appreciation to individuals, local and international organizations, other state governments, medical personnel, and security agencies for their swift and ongoing efforts to assist those affected by the disaster.
These efforts, the House noted, have been crucial in alleviating the suffering of the flood victims.
The House of Assembly is expected to deliberate on the governor’s request for the additional funding, which would be a critical step towards rebuilding the state’s infrastructure and restoring normalcy to the lives of its residents.
