Ebonyi governor asks FG for disaster funds

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has asked the federal government for Natural Disaster Funds. This request is to help the state deal with the impact of repeated environmental disasters on residents.

Mr Nwifuru made the request on Monday in Abakaliki. He spoke while welcoming members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). They were in the state for the 2026 National Data Verification Exercise.

The governor explained that recent natural disasters have caused serious damage throughout the state. This includes damage within the Ebonyi Government House complex.

“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,” Mr Nwifuru said.

He pointed out the environmental problems caused by abandoned mining pits. He mentioned that the state handles these issues but gets little benefit from mining activities since the federal government issues mining licenses.

“Mining pits impose serious environmental hazards which the state is remedying, yet we are not benefitting from them. This is why we are asking for the Natural Disaster Fund,” he said.

Mr Nwifuru is hopeful that the current nationwide data verification will help improve revenue allocation and increase the resources coming to the state. He said that wrong data collection can cause mistakes that affect planning and resource distribution.

“It will make sense if the collected data are updated and analysed to reflect current realities,” he said.

The governor praised the commission for its professionalism. He expressed trust in the skills of the verification team.

Earlier, the RMAFC team leader, Henry Awuregu, who represents Ebonyi in the commission, said the exercise is part of the ongoing National Data Verification Exercise. This aims to ensure fairness and accuracy in revenue allocation.

He explained that Nigeria’s revenue-sharing formula is based on indices meant to promote equity, fairness, and justice among the federating units. “Over time, socioeconomic realities evolve. Population dynamics change, infrastructure expands, developmental gaps shift and new challenges emerge.

“It therefore becomes imperative that the data underpinning these indices are periodically verified and updated to reflect present-day realities,” Mr Awuregu said.

He added that the exercise would check the integrity and accuracy of data used to determine revenue allocation across the country.