By: Gbenga Akingbule.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Saturday flagged off the distribution of food and non-food items to cushion the hardship being faced by the people of the North East Region.
Gatekeepers News reports that the palliative which was provided by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is among the many intervention projects programme aimed at improving the lives of the residents in the region that suffered over a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.
The Vice President flagged off the distribution of the palliative at the Government House Maiduguri and called on the Governors of the region who received the food and non-food items to ensure that it gets to the desired beneficiaries.
Shettima commended the North East Governors, particularly the North East Governors Forum for working together irrespective of political differences to improve the living standard of their people.
He also charged the NEDC to consider the construction of major roads within the region pointing out that the Federal government is ready to give the desired backing to the NEDC.
VP Shettina however warned that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will not tolerate a situation where contractors are paid to carry out construction or roads but fail to deliver.
He warned that henceforth the anti-corruption agencies are sufficient to retrieve monies given to contractors who failed to execute their contractual agreement with the Federal government.
“We have roads under construction by NEDC, this include; 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. I will urge the NEDC to update us on the scale of completion of these roads.
“If the contractors are not working, we will call off their bluff; they have been paid and they’re expected to deliver. We have anti-corruption agencies that can get back our money, we cannot pay you and expect you not to do the job ” VP Shettima said.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC Alh. Mohammed Alkali had commended the Federal Government’s decision to move the Commission to the presidency stating that the mover will enable the Commission to achieve its mandate faster.
Alkali said ” 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 succor to the population of the Region.
” Today, we will donate the following Food and Non-Food Items, which cost about N15 Billion, through His Excellency, Mr. Vice President, to all the Executive Governors of the 6 Member States, the 18 Senatorial Districts, 48 Federal Constituencies, as well as the 6 State Houses of Assembly Constituencies for distribution to deserving beneficiaries across all the States in the Zone:
- Bags of Rice (25kg) 250,000
- Spaghetti/Macaroni (Cartons) 81,000
- Vegetable Oil (Gallons 40,000
- Blankets (Pieces) 80,000
- Mats (Pieces) 80,000
- Shadda for Men (Pieces) 40,000
- Wrappers for Women (Pieces) 40,000
- Children Wears (Sets) 80,000
“Out of the 250,000 bags of rice available (worth about N10 Billion), 65,000 bags will be shared to the 6 State Governments for State-wide distribution, 36,000 bags to the 18 Senatorial Districts, 72,000 bags to the 48 Federal Constituencies and 30,000 bags to State Assembly Constituencies in the North-East Region. This distribution pattern applies to the other Food and Non-Food Items and is designed to encourage wider reach to the vulnerable population and promote inclusiveness. Coincidentally, most State Governments have set up their own committees for the distribution of palliatives. The Federal and State Assembly Legislators may use these existing platforms to reach their constituencies.” Alkali said.
