Shettima flags off distribution of N15bn food palliatives for North East
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged off the distribution N15 billion food palliatives to the people of the north east across the 112 LGAs of the 6 North East states.
VP Shettima also declared opened the 8th North East Governors Forum Meeting which was held at the Council Chamber of the Government House Maiduguri on Saturday. The meeting had in attendance, the Governors of Borno State, Babagana Zulum as Chairman of the forum and Yobe State Governor, Mai Maka Buni,
Others include: Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmad Umaru Fintiri, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Manassir Daniel Jatau, and Taraba State Governor, Agbu kefas, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali.
The VP also called for unity, peace, love and understanding among all the people of the north east irrespective of their tribe, religion, political affiliation and cultural background.
He appealed to the National Assembly members from the north east region to remained united and steadfast as well be their brothers keepers irrespective of their religious and political affiliation.
He also commended Governor Zulum for his hard work and good governance in the state while appreciating the support and understanding of the 5 other state Governors of the north east and the Chairman and top NEDC management staff.
Shettima, further, commended the commission for its interventions in the livelihoods of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
He said genuine support and sustainable efforts should continue to be the watch dog of the commission to the over 2.4 million IDPs and ravaged 6 States of the north east especially, Borno state which is largely affected and the epic center of the Boko Haram insurgency .
He also acknowledged the role played by the traditional institution in peace building and restoration in Borno and north east at large .
Earlier, the Managing Director, NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Executive Governors of Member States, Members of the National and State Assemblies, Honourable Ministers, Security Chiefs, Traditional Rulers on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the North-East Development Commission,.
“We wish to deeply appreciate the Presidency for the unwavering support and direction we always receive. We are grateful to all the State Governors for being our worthy Stakeholders, and to the National Legislators, whom we wish smooth oversight duties and expect maximum cooperation in terms of adequate funding for the Commission.
“We thank Almighty Allah for giving us the opportunity to gather here today to flag-off the distribution of Food and Non-Food Items by the Commission to our citizens in all the 112 LGAs within the North-East Region through the Executive Governors of Member States, and National and State Assembly Legislators.
“This is a direct response by the Commission to alleviate the hunger and food insecurity being faced by citizens, both of which are apolitical. The present economic situation has led to soaring prices of food items and heightened food insecurity nationwide.
” In his national broadcast of 31st July 2023 on the current economic challenges in the country, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) announced some short- and medium-term measures to be taken by the Federal Government to ease the economic hardship being faced.
“To key into Mr. President’s initiative to improve food supply, the Commission is now poised to provide assorted Food and Non-Food Items to bring some succour to the population of the Region”, he said.
He said the NEDC has commenced the construction of major road networks in the North East region.
“Apart from the distribution of these palliatives, His Excellency, the Vice President this morning performed the groundbreaking of Phase I of 22.5km Road Project in Mafa and Jere LGAs. It is part of the 38.66km Zabarmari Area Roads Network from Ngowom-Koshebe, Galameri-Dusuman and Khaddamari-Zabarmari-Gongolong.
” This road is part of the network of roads being executed by the Commission to provide access to Jere Bowl, an important agrarian locality in Borno State, to enhance security and mobility of people and goods,” Alkali said.
The MD/CEO, NEDC further said that “similar road projects are ongoing elsewhere in the Region such as the 32km Dabna-Garkida Road in Adamawa State, 53km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road in Bauchi and Gombe States, and 54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe State, among others”.
“There are also numerous other projects of the Commission in other sectors such as Mass Housing, Mega Schools, Hospitals, etc. These infrastructural projects are the strides the Commission has been taking towards the development of the Region as captured in the 11 Pillars of North-East Master Plan.
“They are also in tandem with the Federal Government’s initiatives to address the critical infrastructural deficit and catalyse long-term socio-economic development. While we delve into full implementation of the NE Master Plan going forward, the Commission will simultaneously key into the present administration’s transport initiative by partnering with the States to deploy affordable and energy efficient electric and CNG-fuelled vehicles.