The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu's directive to establish a Disaster Relief Fund, arguing that it unnecessarily duplicates the existing Ecological Fund, which is already set up to address environmental issues such as flooding. HURIWA described the move as both wasteful and prone to mismanagement, urging the Federal Government to focus on properly managing the Ecological Fund rather than creating new mechanisms for disaster relief.

The announcement of the Disaster Relief Fund came following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, where the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed that the fund would be geared toward addressing disasters exacerbated by climate change, such as the recent devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State. According to Edun, the increasing frequency of such disasters justifies the need for specialized funding to meet the emerging challenges posed by environmental disasters.

However, HURIWA, in a strongly worded statement, emphasized that the Ecological Fund?established by law under the Federation Account Act of 1981?is designed specifically to address such ecological problems, including floods. ?Flooding is a direct ecological issue, and we already have the Ecological Fund in place to handle such matters,? HURIWA stated. The group further pointed out that the Ecological Fund constitutes 1% of the Federation Account and is managed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

HURIWA criticized the Federal Government for what it perceives as a hasty and potentially redundant approach. "The establishment of a new Disaster Relief Fund is unnecessary when the Ecological Fund can be adequately utilized to address the same issues," the group stated. The organization argued that instead of creating new funds, the government should ensure that existing ones, such as the Ecological Fund, are properly managed and disbursed effectively.

HURIWA alleged that politicians have historically diverted funds from the Ecological Fund for personal use, including campaign financing, and that the establishment of new funds only increases the risk of mismanagement. ?This Ecological Fund has been the target of looting by politicians. The office of the SGF is in charge of that fund, and it is their primary responsibility to ensure its proper use. Creating a new fund under the guise of disaster relief opens up more avenues for corruption,? the statement added.

The human rights group called on the government to focus on building institutional mechanisms that ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the Ecological Fund. According to HURIWA, if the funds for ecological problems such as erosion and flooding had been properly utilized in states, many of these long-standing environmental issues could have been resolved. ?Governors in affected states must be held accountable for failing to use the Ecological Fund as intended,? HURIWA asserted.

In contrast, HURIWA commended the Borno State Government for its decision to set up a 32-member committee to oversee the disbursement of relief funds to victims of the Maiduguri floods. The committee, comprising members from government and non-governmental organizations, was established by Governor Babagana Zulum to ensure transparency in the aid distribution.

?This is a commendable move by the Borno State Government. Governor Zulum?s decision to include institutional bodies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS in the committee shows a commitment to transparency and accountability,? HURIWA stated. However, the organization suggested that the committee could benefit from including representatives of local community leaders, traditional rulers, and respected civil society organizations (CSOs) to further enhance credibility and ensure the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.

HURIWA recommended that other states adopt Borno?s transparent and accountable relief fund management approach. ?This methodology should serve as a national example, and the Federal Government should encourage other states to follow suit. Governor Zulum deserves national recognition for his quick and transparent response to the crisis,? the statement continued.

While commending the government?s efforts to provide immediate relief, HURIWA emphasized the need for long-term solutions to prevent future disasters. The organization criticized the government?s failure to address the recurring issue of flooding caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which has consistently led to floods in several Nigerian states, including Borno, Benue, Adamawa, and parts of the South-East.

?Why has the government not put in place remediation processes to prevent floods whenever Cameroon opens its dams?? HURIWA queried. The group called for the construction of buffer dams and reservoirs capable of absorbing the excess water released from Cameroon?s dams to avoid the devastating impact on Nigerian communities.

HURIWA also stressed the importance of maintaining existing dams and ensuring they are equipped to withstand environmental pressures. ?It is not enough to provide cash to victims after the fact. The government must invest in long-term engineering solutions that will prevent the recurrence of such disasters,? the statement said. ?We should not have to wait for the walls of our dams to collapse before we take action.?

The human rights group recommended that the Federal Government de-silt existing dams and expand tributaries of the River Niger and River Benue to accommodate larger volumes of water. They also suggested stronger enforcement of accountability mechanisms to ensure that funds allocated for ecological purposes are used appropriately.

?Any individual or official found guilty of misappropriating funds meant for ecological projects should be prosecuted and jailed for life,? HURIWA declared, likening such actions to ?mass murder,? given the devastating loss of life and property that often results from environmental neglect.

In conclusion, HURIWA called on the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to establish a new Disaster Relief Fund and instead focus on properly managing the Ecological Fund. The organization urged for institutional reforms and accountability to ensure that funds allocated for disaster relief and ecological problems serve their intended purposes.

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