The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced a N3 billion donation to the Borno government for onward distribution to operators of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) affected by the recent flood.

The NEDC managing director, Mohammed Alkali, made this known on Tuesday when a delegation of the commission’s board members visited Governor Babagana Zulum to sympathise with him and the people of Borno over the incident.

Last week, Maiduguri was seriously hit by a devastating flood following an overflow of water from the Alau Dam.

Mr Alkali said the board had observed that most of those affected in the business cycle by the flood disaster were operators of SME businesses.

“After the review, the board approved the release of N3 billion to the state government to be distributed to SMEs that were affected.

“The board also gave the directive that the commission should get fully involved in the rehabilitation of the affected facilities as well as attending to environmental issues like cleaning of the town and WASH intervention.

“In terms of immediate intervention, the board, apart from other things already done, approved 20,000 bags of rice, 20,000 cartons of macaroni, and 10,000 gallons of vegetable oil,” Mr Alkali said.

Responding, Mr Zulum lauded the sustained support by NEDC, urging it to step up interventions, particularly at this critical time.

He solicited more collaboration with the state government for effective services to the people.

The NEDC board members similarly paid a sympathetic visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar-Garbai El–Kanemi, whose palace was also affected.

At the palace, the board chairman, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd) announced a support of N50 million to the Emirate.

(NAN)