By Abdul Kareem

The Northeast Development Commission on Tuesday flagged off the massive distribution of foods and non-food palliative targeting over 400 households and 106 groups in Borno state.

According to the UN standard, a household consist of at least six persons (a father, mother, and four children, or a parent with five children).

The initiative, according to NEDC Borno State Coordinator, Engineer Mohammed Wasada, was targeted at helping the populace wade through the temporary economic hardship faced in the state, especially during the Ramadan fasting.

Engineer Wasada said aside from the 426 households, a total of 106 clubs and associations whose numbers run into thousands of people are also part of those targeted for the food and NFI distribution.

The State Coordinator said the items being distributed comprise 2,556 bags of rice, 5323 sugar, 15179 spaghetti, and 7687 units of 5kg.

On behalf of the Managing director of NEDC, Dr Mohammed Alkali Goni I was directed to execute one of the mandates of the commission there was approval from the executive management of NEDC for the Ramadan period, and the MD further directed that the people leaving with a disability, the orphans, widows and the less privileged should also be carried along. And this cuts across the 27 local government areas of Borno state.

Stressing that the palliative distribution would be a continuous process for the NEDC, the State Coordinator pleaded with the beneficiaries especially those collecting for groups, clubs, and associations to “let the message trickle down” to all the intended populace.

“We have food and non-food items, and this consists of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil,l and sugar, for the food items category; while the NFI consists of mats, blankets, and different kinds of fabrics for men and women.

One of the beneficiaries, a widow, who preferred to be anonymous in this report as she was receiving support on behalf of her colleagues said “This is the first time for me after a long time, and these food items will go a long way for me and my children.”