Shettima flagged off the construction of a 22 km road along Mafa Road in Maiduguri, Borno State and distribution of billions worth of food items.
The groundbreaking event by the NEDC coincided with the meeting of the Governors Forum of the North-East, which was held for the first time in 2023 at the Government House, Maiduguri.
In company with the host governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and all governors of the region, the Vice President performed the groundbreaking of a 22.5 km road construction which will link several communities within Jere Local Government Area (LGA) and some parts of Mafa LGA.
VP Shettima led other dignitaries to the multipurpose hall of the Government House where the North-East governors held their quarterly meeting.
The Managing Director of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, delivered the welcome address, which was followed up by VP Shettima’s remarks. Afterwards, the Vice President left Maiduguri for Abuja from where he was scheduled to visit Kebbi State to flag off the construction of 1,000 houses across the North-West and North Central states.
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima has called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to expand the scope of its interventions in the north east region to cover more road projects regardless of their status. The Vice President stated this today 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. The event also coincided with the 8th meeting of North East Governors’ Forum.
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.”
On the distribution of palliatives worth N15 billion to beneficiaries in 110 LGAs and 18 Senatorial districts across the north east region, the Vice President reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the welfare of the people. Items to be distributed to beneficiaries across the zone include mats, variety of clothing materials for women and children, blankets, rice and vegetable oil, among others.
Speaking earlier at the event, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum called on the NEDC to be more determined in the discharge of its responsibilities and urged the commission to focus more attention in supporting agriculture, especially irrigation farming in the northeast. He said as part of efforts to improve the fortunes of the region, the North East Governors’ Forum will collectively checkmate the activities of illegal miners as well as engage actively with the Federal Government with the view to exploiting mineral resources in the region for the benefit of the people.
He also commended security agencies for the progress made in the ongoing fight against insurgency and urged them to intensify efforts to eliminate the remnants of fighters hiding in enclaves in parts of the region.
On his part, the NEDC MD/CEO, Mr Mohammed Alkali welcomed the Vice President, governors and other dignitaries to the event, disclosing that the first phase of construction of the Jere Bowl road network was among other infrastructure projects undertaken by the commission across the region.
He disclosed that while the commission has commended the full implementation of the North East Master Plan, “it will simultaneously key into the present administration’s transport initiative by partnering with the States to deploy affordable and energy efficient electric and CNG-fuelled vehicles. “Indeed, we will factor our activities with the Renewed Hope Agenda initiatives for agricultural value chain, food security, energy, industrialisation and human capital development that can be synchronised with our schemes, programmes and projects.”
Also present at the event were governors of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri and Deputy governors of Taraba, Karim Iliyasu and Gombe, Manassah Jatau, and members of the National Assembly, among others. Olusola Abiola Director Information Office of the Vice President 9th September 2023
