“WE ARE GRATEFUL”, GOV. LALONG TELLS FG, AS HE RECEIVES RELIEF MATERIALS FOR VICTIMS OF ATTACKS

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

The visit of Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong to President Muhammadu Buhari in search of Federal Government intervention following the recent attacks in some parts of the State has continued to yield results as the Federal government just delivered some relief materials for the victims, through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk.

Receiving the items, Governor Lalong said though the gesture is highly appreciated, the circumstances leading to the current situation make the occasion a solemn one because of the loss of lives and properties.

He however said the State is grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, both for his intervention in deployment of security forces and the humanitarian assistance which he said, “will go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of the people”.

According to a Plateau State Government press statement signed by, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State, dated 5^th October, 2021, Governor Lalong, thanked the Minister for giving prompt attention to the directive of the President and procuring the materials through NEMA for distribution to those affected.

Lalong said the Plateau State government is also looking forward to greater help from the Federal Government particularly in the area of relocation of IDPs. He said the State is anxiously awaiting the promise of ten Billion naira from the Federal Government, which was made by the Vice President during the visit to the State after the Gashish attacks.

Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency said, “The items will be distributed directly to the victims, who have been identified and also received the items earlier procured by the State”.

Earlier, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, who presented the relief materials to the Governor on behalf of the Federal Government said, the materials were in fulfillment of the commitment made to the Governor when he visited the President and sought assistance for victims of the unfortunate incidents.

She said, though the Federal Government is not happy about the loss of lives and properties occasioned by the attacks, it cannot fail to intervene in the lives of the people who have been put under serious jeopardy as a result of the attacks.

Sadiya commended Governor Lalong for working hard to restore normalcy as well as continue working for peace and security while going after criminals to ensure that they face justice.

She said the items worth almost 100 million naira consist of food and non-food items such as roofing sheets, nails, cement, rice, maize, beans beverages, soap and mattresses among others, are meant to assist the people get back to their feet.

According to the release, NEMA DG, Ahmed Habib disclosed that, on receiving the directive for intervention, the agency carried out enumeration which revealed that there are 15 thousand affected persons in 5 Local Government Areas of Jos North, Bassa, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Riyom who need various forms of assistance.

On his part, the Ujah of Anaguta HRM Johnson Jauro Magaji thanked the Federal Government for the support and said the steps taken by Governor Lalong have so far yielded positive results as the people are gradually putting the sad incidents behind them and looking ahead for peaceful life.

The Minister had earlier visited the Obasanjo Model Primary School Jos, where a computer centre established under the Social Investment Programme was inspected equipped with 40 laptops. Both the Minister and Governor Lalong described the gesture as laudable and asked the students and teachers to put it into good use.