The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated tonnes of food items and building materials for distribution to Boko Haram victims affected in the recent multiple bomb blasts in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to the Commission, the donated materials to the vulnerable insurgency victims include thousands of bags and bales of food items, clothing, and other critical building materials to help the displaced persons and survivors rebuild their lives.
 
The NEDC Managing Director, represented by the State Coordinator, Mohammed Wasinda, while presenting the food items and building materials for distribution on Tuesday in Maiduguri, stated: “The donated food items and building materials are part of the Commission’s emergency response mandate to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens, following the isolated attacks in the various local councils in Borno State.
 
Highlighting the the critical interventions,

The Coordinator said that the items earmarked for the victims of the Maiduguri multiple blasts comprised 2,000 bags of rice, 2,000 cartons of spaghetti, as well as 2,000 blankets. 

Wasinda, however, directed the Chairpersons of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Council to coordinate the distribution of the food and building materials through the state channels.

He further said that the Commission donated 1,000 bundles of roofing sheets, 5,000 pieces of ceiling boards, 10,000 pieces of timber, 2,000 iron rods, and 8,000 packets of nails.

The coordinator also urged that all the food and materials be handed over to Borno State Government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

He said that SEMA would manage the onward delivery to ensure the materials reach the households most impacted by the blasts and recent security breaches.
 
Meanwhile, beyond the physical commodities, the NEDC has verified a list of more than 150 victims and survivors of the Maiduguri bombings for cash assistance.

According to him, the Commission has finalised data capturing for the affected individuals as families of the deceased victims are to receive N50,000 each as a funeral grant and immediate support, while injured survivors will receive N30,000 each to assist with medical or personal needs.

For the other affected communities, the distribution plan covers Konduga, Gwoza and Kukawa local councils, including Ngoshe, a border community with Cameroon.

The items for these three councils, comprising 1,800 bags of rice, 1,800 cartons of spaghetti, and thousands of units of mats and wrappers, will be handed over to the respective local council chairmen and the state’s House of Assembly members.