Governor Aminu Waziri Tambulwa of Sokoto state has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention after floods ravaged through Gwadabawa, Ilela, Sokoto North, Wammako, Bondinga and Tambuwal Local government areas, destroying farmlands and crops in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and made available to HammerTimes News Online on Sunday in Abuja.
Tambulwa gave the commendation at the weekend when Farouq visited the state to distribute relief items to flood victims and also flag off the Rural Women Grant Project.
“I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his goodwill message, empathy and sympathy on the natural disaster that ravaged a number of our communities, as well as his support to the victims affected.
“We are working on a supplementary budget to be presented to Mr President, to see how we can rebuild houses, hospitals and schools affected by the flood.
“We also commend Mr President for his Social Investment Programs. There are so many of them and we appreciate the much that Sokoto state has benefited from these programs.
“We assure you that the people and government of the state are willing to partner with you on any program that will benefit her people,” Tambulwa said.
The Governor who described the state as women friendly also promised to do more to empower women especially those in the rural areas.
Speaking earlier, Farouq commiserated with the state government on the flood incident.
She stressed that Buhari was concerned about the devastation caused by the flood and had directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) via the Ministry to respond in providing necessary support to the affected persons.
“I am here with the Director-General of NEMA to present relief items approved for distribution to assist the affected persons.
“The approved food items for the state include 1,502 bags of Maize, 1,502 bags of Rice, 1,502 bags of Beans, 107 kegs of palm oil, 43 kegs of Vegetable oil, 202 cartons of seasoning , 141 cartons of tin tomatoes and 22 bags of salt.
“Other relief items given to the state include 3868 blankets, 3868 mattresses, 3004 mosquito nets, 3780 bags of cement, 3780 bundles of roofing sheets, 723 bags of nails, 200 packets of zinc nails and 72 cartons of detergent”, Farouq said.
However, she noted that before the distribution of the items, the flood affected persons in Goronyo Local Government Area had already received support from the Federal Government through NEMA.
According to her, Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.
“Nevertheless, the following relief items have been approved and due to be delivered before the end of the week; 455 (12.5kg) bags of rice, 455 (12.5kg) bags of maize, 455 (25kg) bags of beans, 76 cartons of seasoning, 46 kegs (20 Litres) of vegetable oil, 38 cartons of tomato paste, 910 blankets, 910 mattresses, 910 mosquito nets, 600 bags of cement, 600 bundles of roofing sheets, 200 packets of zinc nails, 67 bags of 3 inch nails”.
Farouq also announced the payment of N5,000 monthly to 3,465 poor and vulnerable households in Sokoto state, while 29,676 vulnerable households awaiting enrollment.
She appealed to the governor to assist the state to enroll more people for the intervention programs.