Nigerian Senate President Assures Collaboration with Executive to Tackle Disasters

In the wake of devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured President Bola Tinubu of the National Assembly’s readiness to mobilize support to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in mitigating, preventing, and tackling disasters.

Akpabio made the assurance during a condolence visit by the President to Borno State and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi. The visit came after the President made a detour from a trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to commiserate with the governments and people of the flood-affected states.

The Senate President commended the President’s timely intervention in the disaster, which was triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam due to devastating rainfall. Akpabio described the President’s actions as a "display of love, compassion, and commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians."

Akpabio also assured the President that the National Assembly would mobilize to support the intervention purse and complement the efforts of the Federal Government, State Governments, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other interventionist agencies. He promised to add "verve" to the Special Disaster Intervention Fund when established and expressed gratitude to the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NNPCL, NEMA, the Armed Forces, and other stakeholders for their swift and strong interventions in addressing the flood disaster.

The National Assembly is committed to supporting all endeavours of governments at Federal and sub-national levels aimed at renewing the hopes of Nigerians, Akpabio assured. The President’s announcement to set up a Special Disaster Intervention Fund from FAAC allocations to assist in future unforeseen natural disasters demonstrates an unrelenting commitment to good governance and transformative leadership, Akpabio said.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State was also commended by Akpabio for his proactiveness in handling the disaster and attending to the needs of the victims.