NIGER- Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Friday conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s continued support for the victims of flooding and insecurity across the country.
Shettima promised additional reliefs for severely affected states.
He said that both the federal and state governments and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had been actively working to enhance support for displaced communities.
The vice-president noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would remain focused on effective governance and the welfare of all Nigerians beyond political considerations.
“We are here at the instance of President Tinubu to give the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting the people of Niger.
“This is with a view to addressing the food challenges caused by the flooding 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 that the president is poised to assist all states of the federation towards addressing these challenges,” he said.
Shettima recalled that the Federal Government had already disbursed N3 billion to each state to address flooding issues.
“It is just the beginning of a more comprehensive support plan.
“This is just a tip of the iceberg as far as some states such as Borno, Niger, Sokoto State, Bayelsa and Jigawa are concerned,” he noted.
The vice-president explained that states’ eligibility to receive additional Federal Government support would 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.
“In the contemporary history of Nigeria, no president has intervened decisively in the area of infrastructure greater than President Tinubu,” he said.
He cited the ongoing projects such as the East-West Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road as examples of the administration’s commitment to national development.
Earlier, Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger, told the vice-president that the Gwada camp was one of 14 camps across the state housing those displaced by both flooding and insecurity.
Bago expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government delegation led by the Shettima for showing solidarity with the state.(NAN)
