By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has dispatched substantial relief materials to thousands affected by recent devastating floods and ongoing Boko Haram attacks in Borno State’s Southern Senatorial District.

The aid, including thousands of bags of food staples and essential building materials, aims to alleviate the suffering of displaced communities in Chibok, Damboa, and Gwoza local government areas.

The donations were formally handed over by the Borno State Coordinator of the NEDC, Engineer Mohammed Umaru, to various elected representatives for distribution.

Communities like Yamtake, Ngoshe, Bita, Kirawa, and Izge in Gwoza local government area of Borno which have borne the brunt of renewed Boko Haram assaults, were listed to  receive this significant portion of the aid.

According to officials each of these five communities will get 200 bags of rice, 200 cartons of spaghetti, 100 gallons of vegetable oil, 30 bags of sugar, 100 pieces of wrappers, 100 pieces of children’s wear, 100 pieces of Shadda Broc, 200 pieces of mats, and 100 mosquito nets.

Hon. Abdullahi Buba Abatcha, representing the Gwoza state constituency in the Borno State House of Assembly, accepted these items on behalf of his constituents.

Meanwhile, flood victims in Chibok and Damboa, where over 2,000 homes were recently destroyed, have also been cleared to receive 1,500 bags of rice, 500 bags of sugar, 1,500 cartons of spaghetti/macaroni, 1,500 gallons of vegetable oil, 2,000 pieces of children’s wear, 2,000 men’s wear, 2,000 women’s wrappers, 2,000 blankets, and 2,000 branded mats. Hon. Usman Jaha, who represents Gwoza, Damboa, and Chibok in the House of Representatives, took delivery of these provisions.

Rebuilding Efforts in Ashigashiya
As part of its commitment to support resettlement, the NEDC also provided building materials to the displaced people of Ashigashiya, who have returned to their liberated community in Gwoza local government. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume received 200 bundles of roofing sheets, 2,000 ceiling boards, 200 cartons of nails, 500 bags of cement, 250 blankets, and 200 mats. These materials are intended to complement the government’s ongoing Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR) efforts.

NEDC officials during the presentation of the food and materials relief to the flood victims

Additional Support
Beyond the primary distributions, Engineer Umaru confirmed additional approvals and donations from the NEDC management. The Borno State University (BOSU) received 300 bags of rice, 300 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of vegetable oil, 50 bags of sugar, and 500 pieces of mats following a request for assistance from its staff. Furthermore, a smaller donation of 5 bags of rice, 4 cartons of spaghetti, 3 bags of sugar, and 3 gallons of vegetable oil was provided to orphans in Maiduguri, following a request from a local resident.

Speaking to journalists, Engineer Umaru expressed gratitude to the Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Goni Alkali, for his swift approval of the aid requests, which originated from various individuals and organizations.

Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the NEDC, with some remarking that the assistance had restored hope amidst the persistent challenges they face.