By Aaior K. Comfort
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the creation of a Disaster Relief Fund aimed at enhancing rapid emergency response across Nigeria. This fund is designed to provide swift support to victims of natural disasters, including floods, fires, and other emergencies, ensuring timely relief and recovery efforts.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced the approval after a FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The fund will be sourced from the federal, state, and local governments, alongside private sector contributions, to provide aid for flood victims and other disaster-stricken communities.
Additionally, Edun revealed that a Technical Committee, led by Minister of Water Resources Professor Joseph Utsev, has been established to reassess the structural integrity of dams across the country, particularly the Alau Dam in Maiduguri, which recently collapsed, resulting in widespread flooding and displacing over a million residents.
The initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to mitigating disaster impacts and enhancing nationwide emergency preparedness.