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Despite Budgeting N6.2 Billion, Borno Expends only N302 Million on Flood Control in 3 Years

The Borno State Government has budgeted N6.2 billion for flood control and related projects but expended a paltry sum of N302 million between 2022 and 2024, WikkiTimes reports.

WikkiTimes review of the state’s budget performance reports of the three years revealed the expenditure of N302 million represents mere 4.8% of the budgets.

Analysts observed that such poor implementation could have contributed to the poor management of the Alau Dam which caused its collapse that led to flood in the state capital. The flood claimed over 30 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands in the Boko Haram-ravaged Northeastern state.

The Alau Dam has reportedly collapsed first in 1994 due to heavy rains leading to flooding Maiduguri, the capital of the state and nearby areas.

Again, in 2012, the dam failed, inundating surrounding communities with excess water. While the exact number of those affected in 1994 remains unclear, reports from 2012 revealed that multiple flood events across several states killed 363 people and displaced 3.8 million, with Alau contributing to the damage.

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Despite this recurring threat, the state’s budget reports indicate that there was little commitment from the authorities to addressing the issue.

Budgets Distribution

In 2022, the Borno State government allocated N657.56 million for Erosion and Flood Control, but only N100 million was expended, reflecting 15.2% implementation. 

This poor performance was consistent across other flood control areas, like Waterways Rehabilitation with only N55.7 million spent out of the N514 million budgeted representing 10.8% implementation.

Climate Change Management which could help mitigate floods, had a budget of N50 million but with 0% implementation throughout the year. 

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However, the government managed to implement 74.3% of the Waterway Construction budget, one of the few areas that saw significant action within the year. Its original budget was N7 million and N5.2 was spent.

2023: Zero Commitment to Flood Control

The following year, 2023 saw even less commitment. The state allocated N1.04 billion to Erosion and Flood Control, yet not a single naira was spent, leaving the project at 0% implementation. 

Similarly, the N1.5 billion earmarked for Waterway Construction was left untouched, again indicating 0% implementation. 

Only 31% of the Waterway Rehabilitation budget was spent (N71.2 million out of N230 million budgeted), and Climate Change Management with N50 million budget once again saw no funds expended in 2023. 

These extremely poor performance in the areas that are directly linked to flood suggest that flood control was not a priority, despite the clear risks posed to the state’s geographical vulnerability.

By the second quarter of 2024, as of June, the trend of neglect continued. Out of the N1.65 billion allocation for Erosion and Flood Control, only N20 million was expended – just 1.2% of the total budget. 

The Waterway Construction budget (N207.6 million ) remained entirely not executed, while 28% of the Waterway Rehabilitation budget was implemented. The original budget was N178.8 million and N50 million was spent. 

For the Climate Change Management budget, 0% was implemented for the third consecutive year.

Flood Threat Continues

The failure to invest in critical flood control measures has culminated in the tragic collapse of the Alau Dam, devastating communities in Maiduguri and environs. 

For years, no substantial flood prevention infrastructure has been put in place, leaving the communities vulnerable to recurring disasters. 

Despite clear risks, the state’s budgetary allocations for flood control have either gone unspent, implemented at low levels, or diverted to less urgent issues. 

For instance, the 2024 Q2 budget performance report shows that the Governor’s Office has an allocation of N25.57 billion, with N11.47 billion already spent – a 44.9% implementation in just the first six months of the year. 

Similarly, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office has a budget of N17.61 billion, of which N4.26 billion has been expended. 

This disproportionate focus on administrative expenses at the detriment of life-threatening crises raises questions about the state’s priorities in the execution of its policies and projects.

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