By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated over 10,000 bags of grains and other humanitarian items to the government of Bauchi state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali made this known on Wednesday when he led other top officials of the Commission on a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of the state at the EXCO chambers of the government house Bauchi.
Alkali Goni informed Governor Bala that the management of the Commission were in Bauchi to commiserate with him and the good people of the state over the recent flood that ravaged some communities of the state and by extension, the North East.
He recalled that sometime in August this year, world Humanitarian day was celebrated in Maiduguri under the Chairmanship of president Muhammadu Buhari.
He said during the period, the NEDC promised to show its humanitarian face to people of Northeastern states by providing them with enough food items which was subsequently approved by the president.
“The President received our pronouncement and handed over to the Committee he has set up to rehabilitate Northeast, the committee has virtually been dissolved but we were directed to go round and give those items we promised to each state”, he said.
The items donated to Bauchi state according to the NEDC Managing Director are 10,000 bags of 25kg rice, 5,000 pieces of blankets, 5,000 pieces of mats, 3,000 gallons of vegetable oil, 5,000 sets of wrappers for women, 3,000 Shadda for men and 3,000 children wears.
“All these items are readily available in our store here in the state and would be handed over to the state government after the courtesy visit”, the he said.
Alkali Goni noted that the Commission has many projects going on in Bauchi that include Kirfi-Gombe Abba road, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Other projects he said are, the ongoing federal housing project and the ongoing projects in both federal and state health institutions.
“We want to discuss and articulate and come back here in no distance future to perform the ground breaking ceremony as well as the foundation laying ceremonies for the projects”, Alkali Goni assured.
“It is our expectations that after the courtesy visit, the Governor will give us some notational dates so that we are going to work with it so that we come back again”, he added.
Alkali Goni who described Bauchi as an effective state with functional infrastructures, Commended the Governor for the laudable effort made so far in containing the problem of flooding in Bauchi.
The Commission noted with appreciation, the proactive measures taken by the Bauchi state government since the issue of flooding started.
He said that the Commission and the Bauchi state government would synergize in order to contain flooding by providing preventive measures.
“I assure you that we are going to work in that direction to contain flood situation in the future”, Alkali Goni said.
Responding, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the NEDC for the humanitarian gesture.
Bala who noted that the NEDC is one of the legacies that President Buhari will leave behind for Nigeria, described it as one of the best institutions created to deepen institutionalization of initiatives which is not just going to be adhoc and temporary.
“Fortunately for us, the institution is created with a pioneer staff that are very competent and are doing their job in the manner that they will not be confronted with the problems and challenges of their sister Organizations the NDDC”, he said.
According to Bala, the NEDC is discharging its responsibilities in projects and Programmes that is stabilizing the Northeast which has been bedeviled by insurgency.