Ebonyi governor begs FG for emergency disaster funds

The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has urgently appealed to Nigeria's federal government for access to Natural Disaster Funds. He seeks financial assistance to help the state cope with the impact of recurring environmental disasters on its residents.

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A lot of disasters have happened in this city; windstorms and thunderstorms unroofed almost all the buildings inside the Government House, and rebuilding them is costing the state huge resources.

Governor Nwifuru made the plea in Abakaliki while hosting members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He detailed how recent natural disasters, such as severe windstorms and thunderstorms, had damaged numerous buildings, including the Ebonyi Government House complex. Rebuilding these structures has placed a significant financial burden on the state.

Adding to the state's environmental woes are the hazards posed by abandoned mining pits. Nwifuru pointed out that while the state addresses these environmental dangers, it receives minimal benefits from mining activities, as mining licenses are issued by the federal government. "This is why we are asking for the Natural Disaster Fund," he stated.

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Mining pits impose serious environmental hazards which the state is remedying, yet we are not benefitting from them.

The governor also expressed hope that the ongoing national data verification exercise by the RMAFC would improve the accuracy of revenue allocation. He believes that updated data reflecting current realities is crucial for fair resource distribution and effective planning, helping to correct errors that can distort resource allocation.

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It will make sense if the collected data are updated and analysed to reflect current realities.