By Miriam Humbe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered 1,437.5 Metric tonnes of assorted grains to Niger State from the 42,000 Metric tonnes as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for distribution to vulnerable Nigerians across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory.
Director General NEMA Mrs Zubaida Umar who presented the grains to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in Minna said the items were to be shared equally to all the Local Government Areas in the state.
She said: “Based on directives of the President, 20% of the food items due for each Local Government Areas should be given to religious organizations (JNI and CAN) and 3% to be given to boarding schools.”
She also explained that the items were meant to be distributed directly to the beneficiaries through a local committee in each LGA with members comprising of the Council Chairman, reps of SEMA, a traditional ruler, Department of State Services Officer, the Police, Civil Defense and Faith-Based Organizations.
Others were Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Women Associations, Persons With Disabilities groups, Youths Association, Principals of boarding schools, Civil Soclety Organizations and the media.
Mrs Umar also said she was in Niger State on advocacy over the 2024 flood forecast to request the State Government to take proactive and necessary mitigative measures to avert the risk of flooding in the communities.
She highlighted the mitigative measures to be taken as including directive to the State Emergency Management Agency and the frontline Local Government authorities to put in place prepared actions, carrying out public enlightenment at the grassroots and removing refuse and weeds from water channels, and all avenues for river run-offs so as to allow free flow of flood waters.
Niger State Governor, Bago appreciated President Tinubu and NEMA for the food items and assured of equitable distribution to the target beneficiaries.
He announced the formation of an early warning Committee to be inaugurated next week to downscale to grassroots, measures against flood.
The Governor appealed for more supports especially to assist Internally Displaced Persons affected by security challenges in the State.
