By
Dauda Iliya
The Federal government has donated 6,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items to the Borno State government to mitigate the impact of the recent Maiduguri flood disaster.
Presenting the items to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari said the items were delivered as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the him, 2,330 metric tonnes of assorted food items have been transported to Maiduguri.
The items comprises 100 trucks of rice, 50 trucks of maize, 30 trucks of sorghum, and 20 trucks of millet.
He explained that the delivery of the consignment is expected to be completed within one week.
“The President has approved and gave me a matching order to deliver 100 trailers of rice, 50 trailers of maize, 30 trailers of surghum and 20 trailers of millet, totalling six thousand metric tonnes. In addition the ministry made available 2,000 water pumps to aid in relieving communities still inundated with water” Kyari said.
Additionally, the Minister said 2,000 water pumps have been provided to assist in draining flooded areas within the Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere.
Senator Kyari also stated that a committee has been established through the Nigerian Agricultural Development Fund to assess the damage to farmlands affected by the disaster, working in partnership with the state government.
Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu for the federal government’s intervention, stating it will significantly alleviate the suffering of flood victims.
He assured that the food items will be distributed judiciously to those affected by the disaster.
“I want to assure you that there will be no diversion of this items. We shall ensure that only the affected victims will be given this food items ” Zulum assured.
Governor Zulum emphasized that this support represents the largest food intervention the state has received since the flooding incident.