EU supports Yobe govt with livelihood projects

Northern youths laud NEDC for building 3,500 IDPs housing units
The European Union (EU) has explained that its resilience in complex crisis programme, funded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) is meant to improve the livelihoods of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yobe State.

It stated this while implementing the programme in Gujba, Geidam, Yunusari, Gulani, Potiskum and Damaturu, being the targeted councils of the state.

State Director of BRICS, Freeman Muleya, disclosed this at the weekend in Damaturu, while reviewing the stakeholders’ livelihoods recovery projects in the state, adding: “The delivery of safety nets are to improve social cohesion, conflict resolution and management.

“They will also increase access to finance through the registered savings and investment associations tagged: Adashen Gata.

He said the implementation of the programme by the state’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would improve on-farm production through climate smart agriculture and conditional grants support to small- holder farmers.

Besides increasing farm livelihoods, there would be vocational and entrepreneurial training of youths and women in the targeted councils.

Responding, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali, said the MDAs would not fail the EU in the implementation of livelihood support projects in targeted councils affected by over a decade of conflicts.

BESIDES, a Northern group, the Arewa Youths For Peace and Security (AYPS) has commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for building over 3,500 housing units for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.

In a statement issued yesterday, National President of the group, Salihu Magaji, said there was a huge housing deficit in the region after the activities of insurgents, which have ravaged thousands of homes.

“The provision of 3,500 housing units in Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe will assuage the sufferings of the IDPs and people of the North East region.”

“About 1, 000 housing units were built in Borno State, while the remaining five states got 500 housing units each. Food items were also distributed to the less-privileged in the region, which is highly commendable,” he said.

He added that the NEDC under the leadership of its Chairman, Goni Mohammed Alkali, had continued to carry out its mandate assigned to it by the Federal Government.

“In addition to the housing units, other essential amenities such as solar-powered street lights and boreholes, a police-station and a motor-park were provided in the area. Provisions for schooling were also made available,” he said.