From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Residents of communities in Yobe State have commended the North-East Development Commission for what they described as impactful development and humanitarian interventions across the state.
The residents said the commission’s activities, particularly in road construction and rehabilitation, housing, healthcare, education and food distribution to vulnerable groups, had significantly improved living conditions in the area.
A resident of Damaturu, Malam Umaru Muhammad, said the commission had distinguished itself in addressing the needs of communities affected by years of insurgency.
“It is clear that the Federal Government has not established any agency that supports communities more than the NEDC, under its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Muhammad Goni Alkali. We are grateful for what they are doing,” he said.
He noted that while the National Emergency Management Agency had also played a vital role in providing relief, the NEDC’s interventions in the North-East stood out in terms of scope and long-term impact.
“For us in Yobe and across the North-East, the NEDC has done a great job in supporting communities and helping to rebuild the region after years of insurgency,” he added.
Similarly, a resident of Nguru Local Government Area, Malam Musa Ubaliyo, said the commission had contributed significantly to infrastructural and social development in the region.
He cited the recent provision of modern boats and life jackets to communities around Garbi town as a timely intervention following a tragic boat mishap along the waterways linking parts of Jigawa State and Yobe State.
According to him, the incident, which occurred during the rainy season, led to the loss of several lives when a boat travelling from Adiyani in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Garbi in Nguru capsized.
“Without delay, the NEDC provided two modern boats, life jackets, food items, mats and other relief materials for the affected families,” he said.
Ubaliyo explained that the life jackets would enhance safety on waterways, noting that they could prevent drowning in the event of future accidents.
The items were handed over to the Chairman of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje, who subsequently presented them to the Chairman of Nguru Local Government Area, Hon. Muhammad Mairami, represented by the council secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Muhammad.
In a similar vein, a community leader in Potiskum, Alhaji Gambo Potiskum, praised the commission for constructing modern primary and junior secondary schools in the Arikime community.
He said the intervention, supported by the Yobe State Government under Governor Mai Mala Buni, had helped to decongest existing schools and improve access to education.
“The new schools have reduced overcrowding in Arikime Primary School. This is a major achievement for our community,” he said.
The residents noted that the NEDC’s interventions were helping to restore normalcy and improve socio-economic conditions in communities affected by insurgency, while urging the commission to sustain the tempo of development projects across the region.