ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
In continuation of its efforts aimed at rebuilding infrastructures destroyed by activities of insurgents in the region, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has concluded plans to construct 500 housing units in Bauchi state.
The foundation laying ceremony for the construction of the houses will be performed on Thursday by the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed to be assisted by the Managing Director and CEO of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali.
In addition, there will also be flagging off of the distribution of food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are presently taking refuge in the State.
The Goni-led NEDC, in order to address the issue of imminent food insecurity in the region, handed over bags of rice (25kg) 12,000 gallons of vegetable oil, 10,000 bags of sugar, 2,000, cartons of spaghetti, 3,000 cartons of macaroni for distribution to the IDPs.
Also donated are non-food items including blankets PCS 2,000 (Pcs), mats 2,000 (Pcs), mosquito nets, 2,000 (Pcs) and mosquito hand band, 10,000 (Pcs) for distribution.
The NEDC under Goni Alkali will also visit two historic roads that have defied previous administrations which will be constructed by the Commission in Bauchi State including the Alkaleri – Futuk road in Alkaleri LGA and Alkaleri -Kirfi- to Gombe Abba road in Kirfi LGA.
While in Bauchi, NEDC will inspect ongoing construction of Soro cattle market in Ganjuwa LGA and Fistula Hospital in Ningi LGA.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Youths and Elders Peoples Forum has commended the efforts of the NEDC in rebuilding the devastated infrastructure across the North-East subregion ravaged by insurgency in the last 15 years.
The National President of the Forum, Alhaji Salihu Magaji, in a media statement made available to journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday, expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the Commission under the current board and management to remain focused and committed towards ensuring the achievement of its mandate of rebuilding and developing the zone.
The Forum stated that the NEDC was established to address developmental challenges in the North East subregion and to restore means of livelihood of the people, following the effects of over 12 years-long insurgencies as a result of activities of Boko Haram in the region .
It stated that the effects of insurgency led to a massive influx of people into the urban areas with most of them taking shelter at any available public spaces, homes, schools, huts, abandoned and uncompleted buildings, while many trooped to neighboring North Eastern states just as hundreds settled in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the states.
It observed that when the Commission was established, part of its mandate included rehabilitation and reconstruction of destroyed homes and commercial premises of citizens in the region.
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