…Flags-off Road projects, distribution of palliatives worth N15bn in North East
Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has called on the North East Development Commission to expand the scope of its interventions in the north east region to cover more road projects regardless of their status.
Sen. Shettima stated this in Maiduguri at the official flag-off ceremony for the distribution of palliatives in the north east region and the groundbreaking for the Jere Bowl road project.
According to the Vice President, “I want to urge the NEDC board to expand the scope of its intervention to cover more road projects across the northeast region, including the Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu and Gujiba-Biu roads, among many others.
“Though these roads are regarded as Trunk A roads, they will eventually be used by Nigerians, particularly the people of the northeast.”
The VP commended the NEDC board for its prudent management of resources and applauded the support of political leaders, including legislators from the north east region for standing firm with the commission.
Sen. Shettima decried the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on the north east, noting that it has “inflicted damages in the northeast to the tune of 9 billion dollars. Borno alone has damages worth 6.8 billion dollars.”
“There are similar destructions across Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba. If Northeast of Nigeria was to be treated as a nation, we are poorer than Chad, Afghanistan, Niger,” He added.
He commended the efforts of governors across the region for uniting the people despite their socio-political differences.
The Vice President had earlier performed the official groundbreaking for the construction of the 22.5km Jere Bowl road network project, covering Jere and Mafa LGAs in Borno State, undertaken by the NEDC.
On the distribution of palliatives worth N15 billion to beneficiaries in 110 LGAs across the region, the VP reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the welfare of the people as items like mats, clothing materials for women and children, blankets, rice and vegetable oil, among others would be given to beneficiaries.
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