NEDC Donates Building Materials to Flood-Affected Communities in Yobe
By Baba Dan’iya
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated relief items, including building materials and search-and-rescue equipment, to communities affected by flood and communal clashes in 13 local government areas of Yobe State.
The Managing Director of the NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, made the presentation through the Commission’s Yobe State Coordinator, Prof. Ali Abbas, during a symbolic handover ceremony in Damaturu on Tuesday.
Alkali, represented by Abbas, said the donation was part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to complement the state government’s interventions in disaster response and recovery.
“We are here today to symbolically hand over building materials and rescue equipment to the Yobe Government for onward distribution to vulnerable communities impacted by last year’s devastating floods,” Abbas said.
He listed the affected areas to include Fune, Gujba, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Potiskum, Bade, Jakusko, Yusufari, Nguru, Geidam, Gulani, Bursari and Karasuwa LGAs.
“In places like Gurjaje community, which suffered from farmer-herder conflicts, and others like Katarko, Gujba, Jumbam, Ngalda, Tarmuwa, among others we are providing direct support through this intervention,” he added.
Abbas stressed that disaster preparedness is critical, especially as climate change continues to expose vulnerable regions like the North-East to recurring natural disasters.
“To strengthen response capacity, the Commission is also donating 150 pairs of rain boots, 150 life jackets, 1,000 ropes and hooks, 1,000 lengths of demarcation cable and wire, 10 sets of boat safety equipment, and 15 full kits of search-and-rescue tools,” he said.
He emphasised that the items were intended to enhance the operational effectiveness and safety of first responders in the state.
Abbas noted that the intervention is being coordinated in close partnership with local government authorities, traditional leaders, and the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ensure equitable distribution to the rightful beneficiaries.
“We urge community leaders, religious institutions and all stakeholders to work in good faith to ensure fairness, transparency and justice in the allocation of these materials,” he said.
In her remarks, the Yobe Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mrs. Mairo Amahi, expressed appreciation to the NEDC for the timely intervention.
“We have witnessed NEDC’s consistent support to our vulnerable communities. The choice of roofing materials is timely, as some flood victims still have no shelter,” she said.
Amahi recalled that Gov. Mai Mala Buni had also intervened in November 2024 by providing cash support to 25 affected communities across the state, disbursing N50,000 to each household and totalling over N1.43 billion.
She appealed to community leaders to ensure that the donated items are used judiciously for the intended purpose and not diverted.
“We also urge our religious leaders to continue praying for an end to disasters. Yobe Government will always welcome development partners like NEDC,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje, thanked the NEDC for its continued partnership.
He said the rescue equipment would go a long way in improving the state’s emergency preparedness and response capacity.
“We assure the NEDC and the people of Yobe that these materials will be put to proper use to mitigate the impact of any future disaster,” Goje said.
He reaffirmed the state’s readiness to continue working with all stakeholders to reduce vulnerability and build community resilience.
