N15 billion in palliatives were given to six North-Eastern states. On Saturday, Senator Kashim Shettima, vice president, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the about 22.5 kilometer Jere Bowl road networks, which cross numerous farming towns in Borno’s Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas.

    The North East Development Commission, or NEDC, is funding the project that a Chinese Construction Company Ltd. will be in charge of managing.

    Similar projects were performed by the commission across some states in the region during the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, especially the construction of 32km Garkida-Dabna road worth N6.3 billion in Adamawa State, 22.5km worth of N13.553 billion Jere-Bowls, 53km Gombe -Abba – Kirfi road in Bauchi State at the cost of N11.697 billion and the 54km Mutai – Ngalda road in Yobe which stood at the cost of N12.99 billion.

    With the majority of the governors of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Bauchi present, Shettima also signaled the start of the distribution of palliatives of food and non-food items donated by NEDC to the six states at the Government House Maiduguri. Taraba and Gombe were represented by their deputies.

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    As Governor Babagana Zulum reached the 100-day mark of his second term in office, the Vice President, who has been in Maiduguri since Friday, used the trip to commission a number of people-oriented projects, including Mega schools, clinics, and other social infrastructures.

    Shettima spoke to the governors and stakeholders of the area in the Multi Purpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri after the road project’s groundbreaking ceremony and the launch of the palliatives.

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    Vice President Kashim Shettima 

    He stated, “Ten (10) years ago, Boko Haram terrorists controlled the majority of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.”

    The VP bemoaned the destruction of $6.8 billion (N312.8 billion) worth of property in Borno state alone over a decade-long insurgency.
    He thus urged the commission to finish the road projects in the states of Adamawa, Gombe, and Bauchi.
    The NEDC will work on the “deplorable Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa, and Biu-Gombi federal roads this year,” the organization announced, stressing that their completion might improve security and the region’s ability to transport products and services without delay.
    Shettima encouraged members of the National and State Houses of Assemblies to give the six governors the palliatives that the Commission had donated for distribution.
    He praised the NEDC for its caution and pointed out that, prior to the governing board’s dissolution by the previous president, Muhammadu Buhari, the commission had N237 billion in its account.

    The Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, stated at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony that the phase I project of the 22.5km Jere Bowl Road Network, if completed, would improve mobility, connect other communities, enhance livelihood, improve security, and increase agricultural productivity. The project crosses Ngowom- Koshobe-Zabarmari-Gongulong-Kaddamari and other agrarian communities.

    “The new route is anticipated to boost economic activity, improve security, and promote the free flow of people and commodities in the region of the state known as the Jere-Bowl.

    “Therefore, enhancing connection and facilitating smoother movement of agricultural products, linking communities, and boosting accessibility to key services are just a few advantages that will result from strengthening these road networks.

    “It can also improve social interactions, encourage tourism, and raise residents’ standard of living in general.” The alkali said.

    General Paul Tarfa (Retd), the Chairman of the Commission, had earlier outlined the necessity for motorable roads because the majority of the population consists of small-scale farmers and business owners.

    The Managing Director thanked the Vice President for making time to attend the palliative donation exercise’s unveiling at the Government House Maiduguri, where it was held.
    “We thank Almighty Allah for allowing us to come together today to inaugurate the distribution of Food and Non-Food Items by the Commission to our citizens in all of the 112 LGAs within the North-East Region through the Executive Governors of Member States, and National and State Assembly Legislators,” he said. This is the Commission’s immediate reaction to addressing the apolitical problems of citizen hunger and food insecurity.

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    nedc

    The current state of the economy has increased food insecurity across the country and driven up food prices. His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) highlighted certain short- and medium-term actions to be done by the Federal Government to ameliorate the economic suffering being faced in his nationwide broadcast on the current economic issues in the country on July 31, 2023.
    “In order to support Mr. President’s commitment to increase food supply, the Commission is prepared to offer a variety of food and non-food items to help the residents of the region.

    “Today, through His Excellency, Mr. Vice President, we will present the Executive Governors of all the six member states, the 18 senatorial districts, the 48 federal constituencies, and the six state house of assembly constituencies with donations totaling about N15 billion for distribution to deserving recipients throughout all the States in the Zone:

    The supplies include 80,000 blankets, 40,000 liters of vegetable oil, 81,000 cans of spaghetti or macaroni, and 250,000 25 kg bags of rice.

    Other items are 80,000 mats, 40,000 shadda (men’s clothing), 40,000 wraps for women, and 80,000 children’s clothing.

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