By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
In an effort to complement Federal Government’s efforts in the ongoing Presidential Palliative Program across the country, North East Development Commission (NEDC), has also keyed into the program by procuring food and non-food items to the tune of 15 Billion Naira for onward distribution to Northeastern States of the Federation.
Speaking at the flag off of the distribution exercise shortly after the just concluded North East Governors Forum in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, managing director of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Akali said that the move behind the Commission’s decision to key into the President’s initiative was to improve food supply and also ameliorate the current hardship being experienced by the people of the region, resulting from the fuel subsidy removal across the country
According to him, the food and non food items will be distributed to the six state Governors, eighteen senatorial district, forty eight federal constituencies and six State Houses of Assembly.
Alkali said that the 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.
In a goodwill message, Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum, who is also the Chairman North East Governors’ Forum commended the efforts of the Commission which he described as heart warming.
He implored NEDC to explore avenues on developing new adaptable farming methods to mitigate the impact of low rainfall on crop cultivation this farming season.
He then urged Commission to support irrigation farming in the sub-region and other critical infrastructure for sustainable development.
Items donated by the North East Development Commission include 250, 000 bags of 25kg of rice, 81,000 cartons of spaghetti, 40,000 gallons of vegetable oil, 80,000 pieces of blankets and mats each, clothing materials and children wears.
(News story culled from FRCN)
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