Nigeria’s 36 states received N39.62 billion in ecological fund allocations from June 2023 to June 2024, according to data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee published by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The ecological fund is a critical component of Nigeria’s federal revenue allocation, with the goal of addressing different environmental concerns around the country, such as erosion, desertification, flooding, oil spills, and drought.
Established in 1981, the fund is drawn from the Federation Account at a two per cent rate, with the primary goal of aiding all levels of government in addressing environmental issues. The Ecological Fund Office, which reports to the Secretary of the Federation’s Government, manages the fund’s disbursement procedure.
Over the past year, the Federal Government distributed N39.62bn among the 36 states. The disbursements reflect the varying degrees of environmental challenges faced across Nigeria, with funds allocated based on the severity of these challenges.
Kano State received the largest amount, totaling N2.1 billion and average N175 million per month. Borno State, which is grappling with environmental devastation caused by the insurgency, received N1.68 billion (averaging N140 million per month), the second highest allocation.
Recent heavy rains have made a part of the Kano-Maiduguri highway unusable, creating considerable traffic disruptions. The rains have also impacted several states.
The Federal Government has terminated the contract for Section 1 of the Kano-Maiduguri road project due to prolonged delays. This decision was announced by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Uchenna Orji, on Saturday. The minister has also ordered an immediate assessment of the road project.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ ‘Nigeria BAY States, Shelter/NFI Sector Flood Situation Update, April – July 2024 (Issue 1.0)’, severe weather incidents between April and July 2024 directly affected 124,275 people across 56 internally displaced persons sites in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
The region saw 46 major windstorms, 66 flooding incidents, and 115 cases of windstorms and flooding occurring at the same time, affecting 26,493 households.
“These incidents have caused significant damage to camp infrastructure, including shelters, safe spaces, and essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities such as latrines and showers,” the report stated.
According to the report, such weather-related occurrences increased by seven per cent compared to the same period last year, aggravating the already dire situation in certain locations.
As of July, only five per cent of the affected population had received any form of shelter or non-food items assistance. The destruction caused by the ongoing rainy season has placed immense pressure on humanitarian efforts, which are already struggling to meet the needs of over a million IDPs across the three states.
Borno State has been the heaviest hit, with 114,747 IDPs, followed by Yobe (9,419) and Adamawa (309).
Other top recipients of the ecological fund include Lagos with N1.81bn (averaging N150.83m per month), Kaduna with N1.4bn (averaging N124.17m per month), and Sokoto with N1.49bn (averaging N124.17m per month).
The states with the lowest allocations are Kwara, which receives N602.3 million (averaging N50.20 million per month), Bayelsa, which receives N598.79 million (averaging N49.90 million per month), and Ondo, which receives N629.42 million (averaging N52.45 million per month).
Edo received N632.8m (averaging N52.73m per month), and Abia received N633.68m (averaging N52.81m per month).
Adamawa received N1.24 billion (an average of N103.33 million per month) to address concerns like erosion and flooding. Anambra was allocated N1.35bn (averaging N112.50 million per month).
Benue, affected by desertification and flooding, received N758.97m (averaging N63.25m per month). Cross River received N680m (averaging N56.67m per month), with the funds targeted at managing deforestation and erosion.
Enugu received N1.36bn (averaging N113.33m per month) for its ecological interventions.
Experts emphasized the importance of the ecological fund in sponsoring environmental preservation projects throughout the country. Its ultimate purpose is to secure long-term development while protecting people and property from environmental disasters.
