The Federal Government has delivered food and non food items to the Government of Plateau for onward distribution to over 15,450 persons affected by communal crises in five local government councils of the state.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, while handing over the items in Jos, thanked President Muhammad Buhari for promoting a people oriented agenda that seeks to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
Farouq also commiserated with the government and people of Plateau following the loss of lives and property as a result of the communal unrest, banditry as well as religious and ethnic crisis in Basra, Birnin Ladi, Riyom, Jos North and Jos East.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Nneka Anibeze, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister.
“I wish to use this medium to commiserate with the Governor and good people of Plateau, especially those in Jos North, Jost East, Birkin Ladi, Bassa and Riyom local government areas, over the loss of lives of their loved ones, property and sources of livelihood due to communal clashes.
“My Ministry is currently pushing for a triple nexus track and approach that promotes peace building as a crux to long lasting and sustainable development.
“While humanitarian relief and aid can provide temporary relief, the goal is to ensure that vulnerable persons build resilience through access to social protection services and programmes.
“Following an assessment by the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), we found it pertinent to visit and provide humanitarian relief to cushion the effects and to reduce vulnerabilities,”; Farouq said.
Items handed over to the government of Plateau include 2000 bags (10kg) of rice, 2000 bags (10kg) of beans, 2000 bags (10kg) of maize, 144 kegs of vegetable oil (20ltrs), 200 cartons of seasoning and74 bags of salt (20kg).
Others were 200 cartons of indomie, 200 cartons of Milo, 200 cartons of powdered Milk, 200 cartons of bath soap, 200 cartons of detergent, 1,000 pieces of Mattresses, 10 bales and 1,000 pieces of Wax Prints.
Other items were,10 bales of used clothes 40 bales of mosquito nets, 25 bales and 9 piece-blankets, 20 bales mats, 16 bales of 20 piece-Guinea Brocade material, 600 bags of cement, 400 bundles of roofing sheets, 600 sheets of ceiling boards, 300 bags of 6 inch nails and 100 packets of zinc nails.
The statement also quoted the Plateau Governor, Mr Simon Lalong thanking the minister for her prompt response after the Humanitarian crisis was reported to her.
He also praised the President for the relief items while calling on the Federal Government to assist in the relocation and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons affected by the crisis.
“The Vice President had promised us N10 billion (N10,000 000 000) to help in relocating the people back to their respective communities.
“We plead with you to help us follow up on that pledge as ten billion naira will go a long way in providing shelter for them to enable them to start life afresh and begin their farming,” Lalong said.
Speaking earlier, the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Ahmed m Habib stated that the Agency had conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the damage in the five affected local government councils.
“Some attributes of the unfortunate situation is the farmers/herders conflict. Lives have been lost in the nefarious attacks while crops and property were also destroyed.
“A total of about 15,450 persons were affected in the five local governments areas of the State. NEMA, saddled with the responsibility of responding to emergencies is to distribute the materials to affected persons,” Habib said.
Farouq later commissioned a newly built ICT Centre at the Olusegun Obasanjo Model Primary school, Hwolshe located in Jos North Local Council.