By, Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State today has disbursed about N1.43 Billion Naira to 25,000 victims and vulnerable groups and N1.5 billion Naira to 15,000 small scale business owners in the state.
The flagging off has take place on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall, government house Damaturu the state capital.
In his speech during the flagging off, the governor said, “As you are aware, Yobe State recorded unprecedented floods between the months of April and October this year. A total of 441 communities across the 17 local government areas were affected with over 20,000 households displaced. Sadly, we lost 34 lives to the floods, 386 others injured, and over 50,000 individuals lost their means of livelihoods.”
“According to him, the Damaturu to Bayamari federal Highway was cut off by the flood in four different locations namely Kariyari, Jumbam, Koromari and Bayamari, while the Damaturu to Buni federal road was washed away between Katarko and Gujba town.”
Similarly, the Potiskum to Garin Alkali was cut off at Tarajim, and the Gaidam to Bukarti road was washed away at Mozagun. The state government had quickly worked on all the washed away roads cutting off the affected communities to the rest of the state to restore movement of people, goods and services. The state government also carried out similar interventions on Gadaka to Godowoli, Dogon kuka to Daura roads.
Others destroyed by the flood include public structures, personal houses, farmlands and livestock among others causing great pain and hardships to our citizens with an estimated cost of recovery and repair amounting to over N20 billion.
In the aftermath of this calamity, our government swiftly mobilized resources to provide immediate relief. Through the efforts of the Yobe State Government with the support of the federal government and the goodwill of our partners, we distributed food, non-food items, and ₦100 million cash in emergency funds to victims in the most affected Local Government Areas. .
The governor said, the occasion marks the launch of two transformative initiatives: (1) Support for 25,500 Flood Victims and Vulnerable Groups with an investment of ₦1.43 billion.
“We are providing financial assistance of ₦50,000 to each of the beneficiaries in support to rebuild their lives and regain stability.”
In recognition of the vital roles of nano and small businesses in driving grassroots economic growth, we are disbursing ₦1.5 billion to support 15,000 Small Business Owners and entrepreneurs to foster financial inclusion, and stimulate local economies. Each beneficiary will receive ₦100,000 to grow their business and sustain their livelihoods and this brings to a total of over N2.93 Billion support to the beneficiaries.”
Governor has add to said, the Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) programme we propose aligns with the global best practices and addresses the diverse needs of our citizens, “We deliberately adopted direct funds transfer to empower the beneficiaries to prioritize their most urgent needs, promote dignity, accountability, and economic recovery.’
According to him , the government would continue to provide free education, accessible and affordable healthcare delivery, technological advancement and economic incentives to empower less privileged persons for economic growth.
Buni wish to assure that government would provide all the requirements needed for the take-off of the proposed Early Childcare Development Education Centre in the state.
Buni said, these programmes represent the essence of governance to serve the people diligently to improve their lives.
“Therefore, on behalf of the good people of Yobe state extend our heartfelt gratitude to the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GFCR, for every support extended to the State.”
Therefore, “we reaffirm our administration’s commitment to the welfare of our people and also event is not just about recovery; it is about restoring hope and laying a solid foundation to uplift the vulnerable, empower the enterprising, and build a state where every citizen has the opportunity to prosper respectively.”
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