Northeast loses $9bn to insurgency, says Shettima

Northeast, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe have lost around $ 9 billion in damages and businesses as a result of Boko Haram and other insurgency operating in the zones.

Vice President Kashim Shettima who stated this during the distribution of palliatives in the North-East, said Borno alone had damages worth $6.8 billion

While noting that if Northeast Nigeria was to be treated as a nation, it will be poorer than Chad, Afghanistan, and Niger.

Shettima called on the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to expand the scope of its interventions in the region to cover more road projects, regardless of their status.

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“I want to urge the NEDC board to expand the scope of its intervention to cover more road projects across the northeast region, including Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu, and Gujiba-Biu roads, among many others.

Though these roads are regarded as Trunk A roads, they will eventually be used by Nigerians, particularly the people of the northeast,” he said.

Shettima commended the NEDC board for its prudent management of resources, and lauded the support of political leaders, including legislators from the northeast region, for standing firm with the commission.

The vice president also commended the efforts of governors across the region for uniting the people despite their socio-political differences.

“The northeast is a kaleidoscope of colours, consisting of different people from different socio-political backgrounds. But I want to commend our governors for coalescing these units into a single force, irrespective of the differences in political and other backgrounds,” he said.

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On the distribution of palliatives worth N15 billion to beneficiaries in 110 LGAs, and 18 Senatorial Districts across the region, Shettima reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the welfare of the people.

The items to be distributed to beneficiaries across the zone include; mats, a variety of clothing materials for women and children, blankets, rice, and vegetable oil, among others.

Earlier, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno called on NEDC to be more determined in the discharge of its responsibilities.

He also urged the commission to focus more on supporting agriculture, especially irrigation farming in the region.

Zulum said that as part of efforts to improve the fortunes of the region, Governors in the area would collectively checkmate the activities of illegal miners.