Flood, Insecurity: FG pledges relief for severely affected states

The Federal Government on Friday, reaffirmed its continued support to victims of flooding and insecurity across Nigeria, with a promise of additional relief for severely affected states.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said both the federal and state governments, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are actively working to enhance support for displaced communities.

Senator Shettima spoke during an assessment visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gwada, Shiroro local government area of Niger State, where he assured that the administration remains focused on effective governance and the welfare of Nigerians beyond political considerations.

He said, “We are in here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the commitment of the federation government to supporting the people of Niger State towards addressing the food challenges caused by the flood and the insecurity that has been bedevilling this part of the country.

“We have come to reaffirm the President’s irrevocable commitment towards ameliorating the sufferings of our people. This is a symbolic gesture to assure the government and people of Niger State that the President is poised to assist all states of the federation towards addressing these challenges.”

Senator Shettima recalled that the federal government had already disbursed ₦3 billion to each state to address flooding issues.

He however emphasized that it was just the beginning of a more comprehensive support plan, saying “this is just a tip of the iceberg as far as some States like Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Jigawa are concerned.”

The Vice President explained that states’ eligibility to receive additional federal government support will be evidence- driven and based on detailed assessments of needs.

“We will do our assessment and we will be very scientific in our approach. All states that deserve to be supported will be fully supported because governance is about the people,” Shettima said.

On the broader scope of the government’s infrastructure plans, the Vice President said, “In the contemporary history of Nigeria, no President has intervened decisively in the area of infrastructure greater than President Bola Tinubu.”

He cited ongoing projects such as the East-West Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road as examples of the administration’s commitment to national development.

Regarding the immediate concerns of the IDPs, Shettima assured that returning them to their communities was a priority, just as he disclosed that the federal and state governments, in collaboration with NEMA, were working on additional interventions for the displaced persons.

“We are here and we will support our people. It’s not about politics; it’s about governance and improving the living conditions of our people,” he affirmed.

Earlier, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, informed the IDPs that Vice President Shettima had come to offer condolences and deliver some intervention items.

He also informed the Vice President that the Gwada camp is one of 14 camps across the state housing those displaced by both floods and insecurity.

Governor Bago expressed his gratitude to the federal government delegation led by the VP for showing solidarity with the state during this challenging time.

Others in the federal government’s delegation included Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji; Emir of Minna, Dr Umaru Faruq Bahago, and members of the State Executive Council, among others.