Posted by On Saturday in Maiduguri, Vice President Kashim Shettima bemoaned the $9 billion in damage that the Boko Haram insurgency has caused to the Northeast.
Shettima made this remark when kicking off the distribution of palliatives in the North East, according to a statement released by Olusola Abiola, the Director of Information in the Office of the Vice President.
In addition, he broke ground on the official Jere Bowl road network project, which will span 22.5 kilometers and connect the Jere and Mafa Local Government Areas in Borno under the auspices of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The North East Governors Forum (NEGF) was holding its eighth annual meeting at the same time.
Vice President Biden estimates that damages in Borno alone were $6.8 billion.
The insurgency of Boko Haram, he said, had cost $9 billion in damages to the northeast. Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba have all experienced disaster on par with one another. We in Nigeria’s Northeast would be poorer than Chad, Afghanistan, and Niger if we were considered a separate country.
“I want to urge the NEDC board to expand the scope of its intervention to cover more road projects across the northeast region, including the Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu, and Gujiba-Biu roads,” Shettima continued.
Despite the fact that these highways are classified as “Trunk A” routes, they will be heavily traveled by Nigerians, especially those living in the Northeast.
Shettima praised the NEDC board for its responsible financial management and the backing of regional political leaders and legislators.
“The Northeast is a kaleidoscope of colors, made up of different people from different socio-political backgrounds,” the Vice President said, praising the work of the governors.
However, I applaud our governors for uniting these diverse groups under one command, despite their different political and other perspectives.
Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to the welfare of the people as N15 billion in palliatives were distributed to recipients in 110 LGAs and 18 senatorial districts across the region.
Mats, women’s and children’s clothing, blankets, rice, vegetable oil, and other supplies will be provided over the zone.
Shettima further praised security forces for their efforts in quelling the insurrection. He advocated for stepped-up efforts to root out and destroy the last pockets of resistance in the area.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, has revealed that the commission is working on a number of regional infrastructure projects, including the first phase of building the Jere Bowl road network.
Alkali said the commission will work with the states to roll out cheap, energy-efficient electric and CNG-fueled vehicles, capitalizing on the current administration’s transport strategy.
“In fact, we will incorporate the initiatives for agricultural value chains, food security, energy, industrialization, and human capital development from the Renewed Hope Agenda into our work,” Alkali stated.
Bala Mohammed, Mai Mala Buni, and Ahmadu Fintiri, the governors of Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa states, respectively, attended the NEGF meeting.
The deputy governors of Taraba and Gombe states, Karim Iliyasu and Manassah Jatau, as well as members of the National Assembly, were also in attendance.