By Gbenga Akingbule
North East Development Commission (NEDC) announced on Sunday that it procured two dredging equipment worth ₦1.420 billion to dredge the Alau Dam and other waterways.
Gatekeepers News reports that the aim of the procurement according to the Commission is to prevent future flooding, which claimed lives and destroyed properties in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Councils last September.
Managing Director of NEDC Mohammed Alkali made the revelation while speaking to reporters shortly after inspecting projects being executed by the Commission in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital
According to the Alkali, there is a need to take swift preventive measures hence the procurement of the equipment saying that “everyone knew what happened with Alau Dam, and we need this kind of equipment to do that kind of job which hitherto doesn’t exist.”
The NEDC MD also revealed the release of about N 500 million. for the upgrade of the central Store Pharmacy Unit to a world-class standard said the facility is one it’s kind within the North-East Region.
He stated that the Commission is taking deliberate steps to support states within the region towards providing quality healthcare services to residents.
“The Central Store Pharmacy Unit is complete, and it’s one of its kind in the North East Region. As at last count without factoring in inflation, we have expended about half a billion.
“We have a master plan, which has eleven pillars, and one of the plans is to have a healthy citizenry and most of these healthcare interventions are part of our master plan,” Alkali said.
Other projects inspected by the NEDC boss include the construction of the DSS Office Clinic Project, and DSS 3-bedroom bungalow projects in two separate locations, amongst others.
The NEDC MD said similar projects are available for citizens in other North Eastern States.
