By Aminu Harsanu Guyaba,
The Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) has distributed relief materials to seven communities in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State affected by insecurity, including banditry and kidnappings.
Speaking during the presentation at Tulu, Magama, Mana, Kadade, Kogin Salla, Shau, and Kafin Dulubi communities, the Deputy General Manager in charge of Resettlement and Early Recovery at the NEDC, Muhammad Sani Umar, highlighted the commission’s commitment to supporting victims of disasters and insecurity across the Northeast region.
He explained that the intervention followed a formal request from the communities, through their representatives at the National Assembly, to the Northeast Development Commission. “The commission has the mandate, covering the Northeast zone, to intervene in cases of disaster, whether man-made or natural. A team was sent to assess and verify the situation, and based on the findings, the decision was made to assist the affected people,” Umar stated.
The relief materials distributed included 1,000 bags of 25kg rice, 966 cartons of spaghetti, 966 gallons of vegetable oil, 1,000 mats, and 1,000 blankets. Umar noted that the items were allocated based on the verification of the number of people affected in each community.
While commending the support of government agencies, Umar stressed the importance of community involvement in development and disaster prevention. He said, “Government alone cannot handle everything. There are certain responsibilities communities must take up themselves, such as maintaining hygiene and avoiding practices like dumping refuse in waterways, which can lead to flooding and other disasters.”
Representing the beneficiaries, Sama’ila Abdulhadi Magama Gumau expressed profound gratitude to the Northeast Development Commission for the timely intervention. He noted that the assistance would go a long way in easing the challenges faced by the affected communities. “We are truly thankful to the NEDC for coming to our aid during these difficult times. These materials will bring some relief to our people who have suffered greatly due to insecurity,” Gumau said.
He also commended the commission for its thorough approach in assessing and addressing the needs of the affected individuals. “The verification process ensured that the materials were distributed fairly and equitably to those who needed them the most. This shows the NEDC’s dedication to transparency and accountability,” Gumau added.
The beneficiaries appealed to the government and relevant agencies to continue their support in rebuilding and restoring normalcy in their communities. They pledged to make effective use of the relief materials provided.