By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated thousands of bags of rice, cartons of spaghetti, gallons of vegetable oil and other condiments to those who were affected by the recent flood disaster in Chibok and Damboa local government areas, as well as victims of renewed Boko Haram attacks in five communities of Gwoza local government area in Southern Borno Senatorial District.

The Commission also donated building materials such as 200 bundles of roofing sheets, 2000 ceiling boards, 200 cartons of nails, 500 bags of cement, 250 pieces of blankets and 200 mats for onward distribution to displaced people of Ashigashiya who have since resettled back to their liberated community in Gwoza local government.

Handing over the relief materials by the Borno State Coordinator of the Commission, Engineer Mohammed Umaru, the member Borno State House of Assembly, representing Gwoza state constituency, Hon Abdullahi Buba Abatcha recieved the items on behalf of Yamtake, Ngoshe, Bita, Kirawa and Izge communities in Gwoza, while Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume received the building materials for onward distribution to Ashigashiya returnees to complement efforts of the government in its Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR).

Also, member House of Representatives (Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok), Hon. Usman Jaha recieved the relief items for onward distribution to flood victims in Chibok and Gwoza where over 2000 houses were destroyed recently.

Addressing Journalists, the NEDC state Coordinator, Engr. Umaru while appreciating the Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Goni Alkali for his approval after the requests from various concerned individuals and organizations, said: ” Each communities of Yamtake, Izge, Bita, Ngoshe and Kirawa that witnessed Boko Haram attacks recently will receive 200 bags.of rice, 200 cartons of spaghetti, 100 gallons of vegetable oil and 30 bags of sugar.

“Other items include 100 pieces of wrappers, 100 pieces of children wears, 100 pieces of Shadda Broc, 200 pieces of mats and 100 pieces of mosquitoe nets”.

For the flood victims in Chibok and Damboa, the State Coordinator said, “1,500 bags of rice, 500 bags of sugar, 1,500 cartons of spaghetti/Macaroni and 1,500 gallons of vegetable oil.

“Others include 2,000 pieces of children wears, 2,000 men’s wears, 2,000 women’s wrappers, 2,000 pieces of blankets and 2,000 pieces of branded mats”.

Umar also announced that the Commission has graciously donated “200 bundles of of roofing sheets/zinc, 2000 ceiling Boards, 200 cartons of nails, 500 bags of cement, 250 peices of blankets and 200 peices of mats through Senator Ndume for onward distribution to Ashigashiya returnees”.

Likewise, he added that based on another requests for assistance from Staff of Borno State University (BOSU), 300 bags of rice, 300 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of vegetable oil, 50 bags of sugar and 500 pieces of mats were also approved and donated by the NEDC Management.

He also revealed that, in addition to these gesture, 5 bags of rice, 4 cartons of spaghetti, 3 bags of sugar and 3 gallons of vegetable oil were donated to some orphans based on request from one, Mrs Zakiya Ibrahim, residing around Damboa road in Maiduguri.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke, thanked NEDC for putting smiles on their faces, despite the loss of hope over the challenges bedevilling them in the society.