The ECOWAS Commission has donated the sum of N640 million to Nigeria to support victims of flood disasters in Borno and Bauchi states.
The donation comprises the sum of N320million each to Borno and Bauchi states respectively.
ECOWAS, in a statement on Friday, said the donation was announced by its Commissioner, Human Development & Social Affairs. Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Mrs Sarr extended the heartfelt condolences of Dr Omar Alieu Touray to ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, and all Nigerians on the recent flood disasters in the country.
While acknowledging that the West African region has experienced extreme weather conditions over the years due to climate change and other related factors like floods, the Commissioner reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment and continued support to Nigeria and other member states.
Mrs Sarr said: “The ECOWAS Commission stands firmly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in these difficult periods.
“In the event of this disaster, the Government of Nigeria has demonstrated its resoluteness even in times of need.”
“To demonstrate our solidarity to the people of Nigeria, especially the victims and the communities affected, and to address the immediate effect of the disaster critically affecting women, children and other vulnerable groups with thousands of people in need of humanitarian services such as food, shelter, water, sanitation, emergency health and protection needs, the ECOWAS Commission is donating the sum of over Three Hundred and Twenty Million (N320, 000, 000) Naira for assistance to the victims of the flood in Borno State, and the sum of over Three Hundred and Twenty Million (N320, 000, 000) Naira for assistance to the victims of the flood in Bauchi State.”
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for its continued support to Nigeria, pledging to use the donations judiciously to support victims of flooding and affected communities in the two states.
He said: “On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I want to most honourably and sincerely thank and appreciate ECOWAS for its magnanimity and continued support to Nigeria.
“The donation of N650million to support the victims of flooding and affected communities in Bauch and Borno states symbolises ECOWAS’ continued solidarity to Nigeria in this trying period.
“It also demonstrates the Commission’s unwavering support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the current President of ECOWAS.”
