Yobe supports 40,5000 flood victims, SMEs with N2.93 billion in takeoff grants
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has disbursed N2.93 billion to support flood victims and small and medium-scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) to revive their business outfits and livelihoods.
According to him, the initiatives were to empower the victims and entrepreneurs and rekindle their hope with the resilience of the recent floods and over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency.
Disbursing the takeoff grants yesterday (Wednesday), in Damaturu, the governor stated, “We’ve recorded an unprecedented flood between April and October this year.
“The state has recorded unprecedented floods between the months of April and October this year. Over 20,000 households were affected by the floods in 441 communities across the state.”
He lamented that 34 lives were lost with the injuring of 386 residents, including the destruction of the means of livelihoods of 50,000 persons.
Besides the destruction of life and property, he added that the Damaturu-Bayamari road was cut off by the floods.
Consequently, he noted that four communities along the road were also inaccessible to motorists, commuters, and farmers.
“The 54-kilometre Damaturu-Buni road was also washed off in the floods between Katarko and Gujba towns,” he said, adding that two roads in the north part of the state were also cut off from several communities.
Buni added that other destroyed property in floods included houses, public structures, farmlands, and thousands of livestock in Gashua, Nguru, Geidam, and Buni/Yadi communities.
He noted that the state government had to expend over N20 billion in fixing the washed-off roads.
On the flood victims’ support, he said: “With the support of the federal government and other partners, we distributed food, non-food items, and ₦100 million cash to the flood victims in the most hit local council areas.” in emergency funds to victims in the most affected local government areas.
In the breakdown of disbursement, he said 25,500 flood victims were supported with N1.43 billion, stating that each of them has collected N50,000.
Additionally, Buni said the N1.5 billion was disbursed to 15,000 small business owners’ entrepreneurs to revive their business outfits.
“The take-off grants will foster financial inclusion and stimulate the local economy of the state,” he said, as each of the entrepreneurs will receive $100,000.
He explained that the cash support program also aligns with global best practices in addressing the critical needs of the people.
The governor also pledged to provide all the requirements for the take-off of a proposed Early Childcare Development Education Centre (EDEC) in the state.
He, therefore, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the enormous support extended to the state government.
