Ebonyi Governor Seeks Federal Disaster Fund to Tackle Environmental Challenges
By Ikenyim Eucharia
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has appealed to the Federal Government to include the State among the beneficiaries of the National Disaster Intervention Fund to enable it address the growing impact of natural and environmental disasters.
The Governor made the appeal while receiving members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), who were in the State on a data verification and collection exercise for the 2026 revenue allocation review.
Nwifuru lamented that Ebonyi State has continued to suffer severe environmental hazards, which have resulted in significant financial losses and destruction of property across the State.
According to him, several communities have been affected by disasters, including windstorms that have blown off roofs of public buildings, private homes, and other infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.
"A lot of disasters have occurred in this State. Windstorms have blown off roofs of government buildings, homes, and other structures in our streets and villages," the Governor said.
He further noted that despite the abundance of natural resources in Ebonyi State, the environmental consequences of their exploitation have been borne largely by the State and its residents.
"This State is richly blessed with natural resources. However, many people exploit these resources under licences issued by the Federal Government, and their activities contribute to environmental degradation and other disasters. Unfortunately, we are left to bear the consequences without corresponding benefits. That is why we are appealing for inclusion in the Federal Government's disaster intervention fund," he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner representing Ebonyi State in the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and leader of the delegation, Dr. Henry Awuregu, explained that the ongoing nationwide data verification exercise was part of the commission's constitutional responsibility.
He stated that the 1999 Constitution mandates the commission to continuously review the revenue allocation formula to reflect prevailing realities and ensure equitable distribution of national revenue.
Awuregu disclosed that the review process had reached an advanced stage, making it necessary to verify and validate data that would serve as the basis for future revenue allocation among the three tiers of government.
He expressed appreciation to the Ebonyi State Government for its cooperation and support during the exercise, noting that accurate and credible data remained critical to achieving a fair and balanced revenue-sharing formula across the federation.
