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Former minister of
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has launched
an appeal fund aimed at cushioning the effects of the recent flood
disaster in some part of the northern states of the country.

Mr el Rufai called
on well meaning individuals in the polity to come to the aid of
thousands of those who were displaced by the flood disaster.

“We are trying to
reach out to well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of those
affected by this disastrous flood with relief materials.

When it happened in
Pakistan, the United Nations came in, other countries came in; I
thought people can come in and complement NEMA,” he said.

“After thinking
about it, I thought that why not try and organise something to
galvanise people to do something, because right now those affected
really don’t have anything. Whatever we are able to realise, we will
give the relief agency operating in the area for onward distribution.
This initiative is like an appeal fund for cloths, rice, corn, millet
and all other edible items, the victims need building materials too and
anything that people can spare. I mean whatever we get from people will
do.”

He also said he was
not impressed with the performance of the National Emergency Relief
Agency (NEMA), saying some of the agencies of government spend more
time on awarding contracts for supplies than they are at solving the
problem. He said similar agencies at states levels are equally not
helping matters.

Soliciting for support

“That is why I am
making calls to some of my wealthier friends and asking them to
donate,” he said. “Those that want their names mentioned, we will do so
and we would acquiesce to request by those that want to remain
anonymous.” He said though he would prefer donors to buy the relief
materials themselves, a dedicated account would be opened to keep any
donations made in cash.

“It is unfortunate
that NEMA did not live up to expectations of those affected by flood at
a period the victims, spread across states like Jigawa, sokoto,
Zamfara, Yobe and Kano, were in pain,” Mr el Rufai said.

The federal government recently announced the release of about
N1.6billion to the states of Sokoto and Kebbi to provide relief for the
victims of the flooding.