FG launches N350bn initiative to tackle Nigeria’s flood challenges
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Ibrahim Bello
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has announced that the Federal Government, FG, has approved over N350 billion under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund to support dams and expand irrigation facilities across Nigeria.
Bagudu made FG’s this announcement while speaking to newsmen after offering condolences to former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Abul-Rashid Bawa on the passing of his mother in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
He stated, “The flooding is a dramatic change; it is a global challenge, and we saw what happened in Borno, among other states. If you watch footage from around the world, particularly in Europe, you will see a lot of flooding incidents. Climate change is real. Fortunately, President Ahmed Bola-Tinubu recognized it and took proactive steps by allocating funds to the states.”
He continued, “A number of interventions have been approved by the president, in addition to the timely release of Federal Allocation Account money. The federal government allocated N3 billion to each state of the federation to mitigate the effects of flooding. Gov. Nasiri Idris of Kebbi has informed me that the state has taken possession of its share of the fund.”
Bagudu also revealed that the Federal Executive Council approved over N350 billion to support dams and expand irrigation facilities last week.
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Additionally, he stated that N900 billion has been allocated for the Kebbi component of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, calling it “the single biggest contract awarded under the current administration.”
He mentioned another approval for the construction of the Zaria Kala-Kala road in the Koko/Besse Local Government area of Kebbi State, which complements other road projects, including the awarded Melando-Warra road in Birnin Yauri, Ngaski Local Government area.
“Kebbi is blessed; we are fortunate that infrastructural projects, along with numerous interventions in agriculture, animal husbandry, hospitals, and schools, will complement the ongoing developmental projects taking place in the state,” Bagudu remarked.
He commended Gov. Idris for his positive impact on improving the living standards of the people while managing the state’s affairs.
“I also praise the governor for taking necessary actions to bring relief to communities affected by flooding and for encouraging relentless cultivation among farmers to achieve self-sufficiency in food production,” the minister concluded.
