The Federal Government on Friday distributed various relief items to no fewer than 27,000 persons affected by flood in Jigawa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items were handed over to the the state government by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,Hajia Sadiya Umar-Farouq, in Dutse.
NAN also reports that the items include: 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of rice, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of beans, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of maize, 149 bags (20kg) of salt and 298 (20Ltrs) of vegetable oil.
Other items are: 496 cartons of seasoning, 248 cartons of tomato paste,4,500 bags of cement, 4,500 bundles of roofing sheets, 4,500 pieces of ceiling boards 1,000 bags of 3 inch nails and 3,000 packets of zinc nails.
“I am here to convey the sympathy of the Federal Government to the Government and people of Jigawa State over the flood that occurred in some local government areas( LGAs) of the State.
“The affected LGAs are : Hadejia, Malam-Madori, Auyo, Miga, Kirikasamma, Kafin-Hausa, Guri, Birniwa, Ringim, Taura, Jahun, Kaugama and Maigatari.
”The President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR is concerned about the flood and has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to activate the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately respond,” the minister said.
She said that NEMA had earlier distributed essential non-food items as pre-assessment support to the affected persons.
“Consequently, because of the emergency situation, NEMA deployed some relief items, mainly essential non-food items that were distributed as pre-assessment supports to the affected persons.
“This items are: 5,952 pieces of foam mattresses, 5,952 pieces of nylon mats, 5,952 pieces of blankets, 5,952 pieces of mosquito nets, 200 cartons of detergent and 200 cartons of toilet soap.
“In addition to the above, we are here with more relief items approved for distribution to complement the supports of the State Government to the affected persons and this is as follows; 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of rice, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of beans, 2,976 bags (12.5kg) of maize and 149 bags (20kg) of salt.
Others include: 298 (20Ltrs) of vegetable oil, 496 cartons of seasoning, 248 cartons of tomato paste, 4,500 bags of cement, 500 bundles of roofing sheets, 4,500 pieces of ceiling boards, 1,000 bags of 3 inches nail and 3,000 packets of zinc nail,” she said.
Gov. Muhammad Badaruof Jigawa, while receiving the items commended the minister and the Federal Government for the gesture.
Represented by his Deputy, Malam Umar Namad, he said that over 40 lives and 100,000 hectares of farmland were lost to the flood, while 27,000 persons who were displaced are now being kept in various temporary camps across the state.
“On behalf of Gov. Badaru and the entire people of Jigawa state, we thank the Federal Government for this gesture.
“We’re really appreciative and proud of the President as he personally called and sympathized with us.
“This is the highest level of concern that the President is showing concerning what is happening with regards to this disaster in Jigawa,” the governor said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Miga Local Government Council, Mr Muhammad Agufa, who spoke on behalf of other council chairmen, appreciated the Federal Government.
Agufa said the items would go along way to relieve the suffering of the victims.
