The North-East Development Commission has released 200,000 bags of rice for flood victims in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba.

NEDC’s managing director, Mohammed Alkali, presented the grains and other items to the states on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Mr Alkali listed other items, including 150,000 cartons of macaroni/spaghetti, 250,000 gallons of vegetable oil, mats, blankets, mosquito nets and clothing materials for adults and children.

He said lawmakers from the geopolitical zone, both state and national, would participate in sharing the items to ensure that their constituencies were fairly treated.

Mr Alkali, who just concluded a tour of some states affected by the flood, said the support was part of immediate measures to assist the victims.

“The commission has short-term and long-term plans for the region; the immediate support is a short term effort. Others will follow. In view of the current massive flooding in Maiduguri caused by the breakdown of Alau Dam, the commission had to act fast,” he said. 

(NAN)