Gov Zulum, Tarfa, Nwajiuba, Sadiya, Alkali, Tallen and other dignitaries at the inauguration of 1000 housing units in Gwom
The Federal Government has commended the management of North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its commitment to service delivery.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, made the commendation on Thursday in Maiduguri in her speech to mark the handing over of 1000 houses constructed for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by NEDC.
The minister who reiterated the commitment of her ministry to interventions that have direct bearings on the populace also commended Governors of North East states for thier support.
“I would like to use this opportunity to commend the continuous efforts of the Managing Director and the entire NEDC team for carrying out their mandate.
“I also thank the Governors of the states in the northeast for their support and commitment towards the rehabilitation, reconstruction and sustainable recovery of the region. Particularly, H.E Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, for graciously hosting us. I would also like to reiterate that the FMHADMSD is committed to programmes and interventions that are humane, fair and inclusive,” the minister said.
She noted that her visit to Borno is not only to hand over the 1000 houses but to also flag-off the distribution of food and non-food items to the six states of the region which is part of an overarching goal to improve food security and reduce hunger.
Other activities included the handing over the Burn Centre which would cater for victims of burn injuries as a result of bomb attacks, the graduating of Batch B from the NEDC ICT training scheme in Graphic Design and Small Phone repairs and the ground breaking of the construction of 300-seater auditorium/centre for the study of violent extremism for prevention.
In his speech, the Manging Director of NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, said the project was part of the 10,000 Special Presidential Intervention in Borno (SPIB).
“As part of the exercise of the SPIB, the NEDC undertake the construction of the first 1,000 houses from its own resources and fund the equipping of the technical and vocational skills centres around the state at an estimated cost of N2 billion.
“The 1,000 houses consist of blocks of four units of two-bedrooms bungalows with veranda and court yards in clusters arrangement.
“Each block sits on 400 square metres with perimeter fence and ample space for other home activities.
“The following socioal and economic facilities are also provided in the estate: Solar-powered street lights, four industrial solar-powered boreholes, planting of over 3,000 economic trees as well as provision for school, market, police station and motor park..
“In the spirit of building back-better, we are today delivering a Ngwom town instead of a village as it was before,” he said.
In thier seperate remarks, the Board Chairman of the Commission, retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa and Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Sen. Yusuf A Yusuf, described the occassion as historic, adding that it would address the accommodation problem experienced by the displaced persons.
In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, lauded the housing and other interventions saying the largest beneficiaries of the intervention were women and children.
Also speaking, Gov. Babagana Zulum, lauded the Federal Government for its support to the state, describing the gesture as “timely.”
Zulum said the gesture would fast track diginify ressettlement of IDPs back to their ancestral homes.
The event was attended by Mr Edward Kallon, UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, and Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.
