JUST IN: Osinbajo orders immediate release of N1.6 billion to 16 states affected by flood (FULL LIST)

Suleja flood
Suleja flood

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has directed the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to immediately release N1.6 billion for 16 states ravaged by floods across the country.

This was revealed on Wednesday by the spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, while briefing reporters at the end of the meeting if the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Mr. Adesina said the money is to help cushion the effects of the disaster on residents of the states.

He also said the fund “would be taken from the Federal Government’s Ecological Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria”.

He said the Minister of Finance has been directed to release the money directly to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for onward distribution to the affected states.

The benefitting states are Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Lagos, Plateau, Sokoto, Edo and Bayelsa.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported the recent floods in several states of Nigeria.

In Niger State, at least two people died from the recent floods, while several parts of the Lagos Island including Lekki and Victoria Island were unpassable last Saturday due to the flood in the state.

On Tuesday, the Senate asked the federal government to release money to Niger State to cushion the effect of the flood there.

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  • AFRICANER

    Osinbajo is looking like a bad leader, appointing people from his place and his friends to government jobs, and releasing money to his state and narrow interest.

    Why not release money to states with erosion problems since this is also a precursor to flooding?

    • musa aliyu

      Looks like U are not up to date aw revenue is shared in Nigeria. It is a permanent status that 7% of total collected revenue goes to all ecologically impaired states. What have they been doing with the funds? Go ask them, instead of coming here to waste our time.

      • AFRICANER

        Unfortunately, you are right, our states are just as corrupt, or even more so; however, that doesn’t exonerate the source. Two wrongs don’t make a right. It’s the responsibility of the FED to tackle the corrupt states, and local government; or devolve power to the states to have their own police, if not army. To whom much is given, much is expected. The ONUS falls squarely on the Federal government’s head.

    • Yego V

      I’m wondering how your head is placed! Upside-down? I don’t see anywhere in this article talk about appointment. This is an Acting President who is truly Humane, ALIVE and Responsive. He is doing what is expected of a leader. Compare his actions against that of Buhari, who never cared to visit or at the least, empathize with the people of Southern Kaduna or the East, who were devastated by Herdsmen – his Kinsmen. Osinbajo, in an acting capacity has shown that he is a President of the citizens of Nigeria, not Yoruba’s. With regards the subject matter, unfortunately, Osinbajo may have good intentions, but implementation is suspect, because of the fraudulent system that has long been in existence: from federal and state civil services to the Ministers and governors. I’m convinced that if this man –Osinbajo, were to be sworn in as substantive President, he can do even more. All that is required is for Buhari to throw in the towel, go to Daura and enjoy his remaining days. That should be an honourable step. I wish people like you would pursue that line of action.

      • AFRICANER

        You have just committed the fallacy of False Choices!

        If the only choice we have is between Buhari and Osinbajo, then you are right, the latter is one million times better.

        I am arguing that we can do better, and that we are not limited to those too. Even if it takes a revolution, we must change this country.

        • Yego V

          You are right with your second line. Right now we are stuck with the two: B and O. And my choice was the O.
          You are also right with your last statement. We should do better, and I’m with you. If we are patient enough to wait 2 more years, I hope the lesson is learnt. And if we cant wait, I hope a “Rawlings” will emerge.

  • amazing2012

    Good initiative however my concern is who will supervise the disbursement of the funds to poor people ?

    • Julius

      Nope. You and I know how it will end up.

  • musa aliyu

    Another spendingr spree for the Governors and their various SEMA!

  • Julius

    Watch how they will be shared by the governors for their own personal use. Probably send it to their overseas bank account.

  • Gary

    The money will promptly be diverted to other purposes, including paying “Consultants” who helped negotiate the release.
    On the bright side Ogbeni Rauf and fellow debtor-Governors might use the funds to pay their slaves, sorry workers, half-salaries for May.
    Many thanks Mr. Osinbajo, for the latest bailout.

  • 0tile

    For lack of vision this 1.6 billion is going to be wasted on known individuals. Osinbanjo did well to order Kemi to release the money to some of the flooded areas. Unfortunately Calamity Kemi is going to act like a zombie and hand the fund in cash to connected individuals such as: emirs, chief imams, and popular APC chieftains. Instead of giving away the fund without proper accountability Calamity Kami should disburse the money according to need in the benefiting states. For example Kebbi, Plateau, and Sokoto are far in the Sahel arid desert. Instead of handing the money to chief imams to distribute Calamity can put it into good use by building good irrigation systems for the arid areas. Similarly Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Ebonyi suffer perpetual deluge every year; Calamity can use the money to build them good drainage systems. It appears there is no thinking person in Imam Buhari’s cabinet who can think of anything worthwhile to do with peoples’ money. All they understand is to share money and become angry when oil money is not flowing accordingly.