North-East Commission distributes food items to orphans, widows in Borno

…as FG approves N80bn for reconstruction of Alau Dam in Maiduguri

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has launched a massive distribution of food and non-food items to vulnerable groups to provide succour to Muslims during Holy Month of Ramadan in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its surroundings.

Speaking at the distribution of the food items held in Maiduguri at the weekend, Goni Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director/CEO of NEDC, said the gesture underscored the Commission’s commitments to alleviating the sufferings and hardships of the people during the fasting period in the region.

The beneficiaries include orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, women groups, youths, vigilance groups, commercial riders and drivers, security agents, traditional rulers, State and National assembly members, local and State Governments, and other organisations.

Some of the items distributed included 7,000 bags of rice, 5,000 cartons of spaghetti, 7,000 cartons of vegetable oil and non-food items: 4,000 pieces of blankets, 5,000 pieces of mats, 4,000 pieces of wrappers, 5,000 pieces of Shadsah materials.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has flagged off an ₦80 billion project to reconstruct and upgrade the collapsed Alau Dam in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

Following the devastating floods that swept through Maiduguri, the State capital, and environs in September 2024, claiming lives and livelihoods, prompting Government of President Bola Tinubu to approve the sum of ₦80 billion for the total overhaul of the collapsed dam.

The approval was made following a report by a high-powered technical Committee led by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who was tasked with assessing the integrity of all dams nationwide.

Speaking at an elaborate ceremony organised at the collapsed dam site at weekend, the Water Resources minister emphasised that the reconstruction was a direct response to the disaster and a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who was the special guest of honour at the groundbreaking ceremony stated that the rehabilitation would be conducted in two phases.

According to the minister, when completed, the Alau Dam will enhance the provision of drinking water and revamp agricultural activities for thousands of people around the facility.