Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting flood and insecurity victims across Nigeria, despite the recent allocation of N3 billion to each state for flood relief.
He assured that additional aid would be provided to the most affected states.
He gave the assurance on Friday during an assessment visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gwada, Shiroro local government area of Niger State.
The Vice President assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on effective governance and the welfare of all Nigerians beyond political considerations.
He said, “We are in here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the commitment of the federation government to supporting the people of Niger State towards addressing the food challenges caused by the flood and the insecurity that has been bedevilling this part of the country.
“We have come to reaffirm the President’s irrevocable commitment towards ameliorating the sufferings of our people.
“This is a symbolic gesture to assure the government and people of Niger State that the President is poised to assist all states of the federation towards addressing these challenges.”
Shettima recalled that the Federal Government had already disbursed N3 billion to each state to address flooding issues.
He however emphasized that it was just the beginning of a more comprehensive support plan, saying, “This is just a tip of the iceberg as far as some States like Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Jigawa are concerned.”
The Vice President explained that states’ eligibility to receive additional federal government support will be evidence-driven and based on detailed assessments of needs.
“We will do our assessment and we will be very scientific in our approach. All states that deserve to be supported will be fully supported because governance is about the people, Shettima said.
On the broader scope of the government’s infrastructure plans, the Vice President said, “In the contemporary history of Nigeria, no President has intervened decisively in the area of infrastructure greater than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He cited ongoing projects such as the East-West Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road as examples of the administration’s commitment to national development.
Regarding the immediate concerns of the IDPs, Shettima assured that returning them to their communities was a priority, just as he disclosed that the federal and state governments, in collaboration with NEMA, were working on additional interventions for the displaced persons.
“We are here and we will support our people. It’s not about politics; it’s about governance and improving the living conditions of our people,” he affirmed.
The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, informed the IDPs that the Vice President had come to offer condolences and deliver some intervention items.
He also informed the Vice President that the Gwada Camp is one of 14 camps across the state housing those displaced by both floods and insecurity.
Bago expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for showing solidarity with the state during the challenging time.
Others in the Federal Government’s delegation include Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.