By Nurat Uthman
On Saturday, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President, conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 22.5km road network in Jere Bowl, which will pass through several farming communities in Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno state.
The project will be managed by a Chinese Construction Company Ltd and is sponsored by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Similar projects were carried out by the commission in various states in the region during the previous administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. These included the construction of a 32km Garkida-Dabna road in Adamawa State, worth N6.3 billion, a 22.5km Jere-Bowls road worth N13.553 billion, a 53km Gombe-Abba-Kirfi road in Bauchi State costing N11.697 billion, and a 54km Mutai-Ngalda road in Yobe at a cost of N12.99 billion.
Shettima also initiated the distribution of food and non-food items, donated by the NEDC, to the six states at the Government House in Maiduguri. Most of the governors of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Bauchi were in attendance, while Taraba and Gombe were represented by their deputies.
During his visit to Maiduguri, which began on Friday, the VP commissioned various people-oriented projects such as mega schools, clinics, and other social infrastructures implemented by Governor Babagana Zulum to mark the 100th day of his second term in office.
After the groundbreaking ceremony and the launch of the palliatives, Shettima addressed governors and stakeholders of the region at the Multi-Purpose Hall in the Government House, Maiduguri.
He stated, “Ten years ago, most parts of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states were under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.” The VP expressed his concern that Borno state alone suffered the destruction of $6.8 billion (N312.8 billion) worth of property during the decade-long insurgency.
He urged the commission to complete the road projects in Adamawa, Gombe, and Bauchi states, emphasizing that their completion would enhance security and facilitate the smooth transportation of goods and services in the region.
Regarding the distribution of palliatives, Shettima urged members of the National and State Houses of Assemblies to donate the Commission’s palliatives to the six governors for distribution.
While commending the NEDC for prudence, he noted that the commission left N237 billion in its account before the former president, Muhammadu Buhari dissolved the governing board.
At the groundbreaking ceremony of the project that cut across Ngowom- Koshobe -Zabarmari -Gongulong- Kaddamari and other agrarian communities, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali said the phase I project of 22.5km Jere Bowl Road Network, if completed, would improve mobility, connect other communities, enhance livelihood and improve security and agricultural productivity.
“The new Road is expected to stimulate economic activities, enhance security, and facilitate the free movement of goods and people in the popularly known Jere-Bowl of the state.
“Therefore, improving these road networks will bring several benefits, such as enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother transportation of agricultural products, connecting communities and improving accessibility to essential services.
“It can also enhance social interactions, promote tourism, and improve overall quality of life for residents”. Alkali stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Commission, General Paul Tarfa (Retd), explained that majority of inhabitants are peasant farmers and entrepreneurs, hence the need for motorable road for easy transportation of goods and services.
While at the Government House Maiduguri, venue for the launching of palliatives donation, the Managing Director commended the Vice President for finding time to witness and unveiled the exercise.
He 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 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:
The items are 250,000 of 25kg Bags of Rice, 81,000 cattons of Spaghetti/Macaroni, 40,000 gallons of vegetable oil and 80,000 pieces of blankets.
Others include; 80,000 mats, 40,000 shadda (men wears), 40,000 wrappers for women folk as well as 80,000 children wears.
“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.
“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 North East 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.
“Finally, 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 you and all other distinguished guests for gracing this event.” Alkali stated
