Niger presents N70m, food to victims of disasters

Niger State government has presented cheques to the tune of N70m to victims of fire and bandits attacked in some communities in the state.

Presenting the cheques to the victims at the conference hall of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Minna at the weekend, the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, noted that the primary objective of any government is ensure security, and well being of the people.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Bello Ibrahim, he said that government was aware of their plight, assuring that government is with them through thick and thin, and that whatsoever was given them as support is a stepping stone to revive their livelihoods.

Garba emphasised that governor Umaru Bago had always showed concern particularly to the weak, vulnerable and downtrodden in the society.

He cautioned people to be aware of instances of fire outbreak, hence the need to make the environment safer by installing fire extinguisher where the need arises.

The deputy governor commiserated with the victims whose farms were burnt down by the bandits, urging them to take faith.

Earlier, the Director General, NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, revealed that distribution of the cheques by the agency to the victims was another milestone by the administration of Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago.

Arah pointed out that since he took over the affairs of the agency, three to four disasters have been recorded.

The NSEMA boss also said that the state government has made frantic efforts to provide relief to the victims of various disasters ranging from fire outbreak and attacked on farmlands by the bandits.

He further stated that the beneficiaries include victims from New Market area in Chanchaga, and some communities in Kontagora Local Council of the state.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, a community leader, Ahmed Jaafar, appreciated the gesture, promising that it will be utilise for the purpose it was meant.