By Sam Kayode
Vice President (VP) Kashim Shettima has called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to consider the reconstruction of the completely destroyed Jalingo Yola road.
The VP regretted that the long abandonment of the Jalingo-Yola road in North East Nigeria has turned it to a dangerous death trap which needs urgent rehabilitation to save several communities along the trunk A road from economic retrogression.
He gave the directive Saturday in Maiduguri while flagging off the distribution of palliatives in the north east region of Nigeria and opening the eighth edition of the quarterly meeting of forum of governors of the region.
“To me this road is not just a connection between Jalingo and yola but a major connection between the north east and south east of the country. I want our baba chairman to consider the fixing of this road as soon as possible.
” I also want you to consider the fixing of the Gombe-Bauchi and the Maiduguri – Damboa road and Gujiba-Biu road. These are roads which are vital to the well being of the people. Baba chairman do consider to fix these roads.” said the VP to Rtd. General Paul Tarfa who is the chair of the NEDC.
He commended the Managing Director MD of the NEDC Mohammed Alkali for leaving as much as N237 billion in its coffers after the completion of his first term adding that the commission should go after any contractor who fails to complete any road contract and recover misappropriated funds.
Speaking earlier, before the flag off of the palliative session, the MD of the NEDC Alkali expressed gratitude to the Federal government for continuous support of the agency since inception.
He said that it was heart warming that the agency was now reporting directly to the Presidency making it easy for them to achieve what ever they need to achieve in the shortest possible time.
“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.
“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) 250,000Spaghetti/Macaroni (Cartons) 81,000Vegetable Oil (Gallons), 40,000 pieces of Blankets, 80,000 pieces of Mats, 80,000 pieces of Shadda for Men, 40,000 pieces of Wrappers for Women, 40,000 Children Wears, 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 setup their own committees for the distribution of palliatives.
The Federal and State Assembly Legislators may use these existing platforms to reach their constituencies.” he revealed.
NEDC contributes to road to the Jere bowl in Borno
“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. 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.
“Indeed, we will factor our activities with the Renewed Hope Agenda initiatives for agricultural value chain, food security, energy, industrialisation and human capital development that can be synchronised with our schemes, programmes and projects.
Present at the occasion were several legislators including Inuwa Garba of Yematu Deba, Jararu Leko of Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa, Ayuba Zaku of wukari/Obi, Kabiru Yusuf of alkaleri/kirfi, Ahmed Jaha of Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza, Ahmed Satomi Jere and Kadiri Rahis mmc of Borno, Aliyu Boya, Furore/Song of Adamawa state, chair of the Borno palliatives committee Bukar Talba and Musa Kubo chair Borno farm project. Others included Governor Kashim Shettima and his entire executive.
