FG pledges commitment to rehabilitate flood victims

The Federal Government has pledged to support and rehabilitate victims of the recent flood disaster that has destroyed communities, farmlands and other properties in parts of the country.
Vice President Namadi Sambo reiterated this when he took an aerial view of the flood devastated areas of Nasarawa and Plateau States.
Addressing the victims at Loko village in Nasarawa State, Sambo said President Goodluck Jonathan has directed him to commiserate with the people on the unfortunate incident of the flood that occurred in the state.
He pledged the Federal Government’s resolve to address all the issues associated with the aftermath of flood, adding that immediately the incident occurred the National Emergency Management Agency came to the rescue and supported the victims in Nasarawa State in addition to what the state government was doing.
Sambo stated that almost immediately, the Federal Government provided Nasarawa State with N400 million to support the people and had also heard the message from the victims on the need to get them settled as soon as possible.
He said: “I want to assure you that the post-flood support is on the way.
“Only a day before yesterday, Mr. President launched the flood support group chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Barrister Olisa Ogbakoba, where the sum of N10 billion was realised to support you.”
The VP added that this week also, the President has released funds to the Minister of Agriculture to support the dry season agriculture all over the country, including Nasarawa State.
He also disclosed that funds have been disbursed to the Minister of Health to ensure that any health hazard in the camps where victims are accommodated is addressed with immediate effect.
On the request by the state governor that the Federal Government should assist in infrastructure development, Sambo said approval had been given to develop the contiguous states to the FCT comprising Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa to be like the Federal Capital Territory, noting that the road handled by the RCC would be constructed.
In addition, he said approval has been given for the construction of Eweto Bridge that will go across the River Benue to ease transportation from the eastern of part the country to the North as well as the inclusion of construction of Dams that are in Nasarawa State in the Ministry of Water Resources scheme for irrigation, to create jobs for the people and enhance agriculture.
Speaking, the state Governor, Alhaji Umar Tanko Almakura, expressed appreciation for the immediate response of the Federal Government to the needs and challenges of the people and communities affected by the flood.
Almakura also commended the President for sending NEMA and other agencies to rescue of the affected people and immediate release of funds to assuage the situation.
He however, requested the Federal Government to assist in building infrastructure in the state.
In a related development, Sambo also visited Shendam and other flood affected areas in Plateau State and commiserated with the victims over the sad and unfortunate incident that had caused them so much suffering and untold hardship.
He stated that the Federal Government has immediately provided support through NEMA and N500 million was also given to the state government to assuage the sufferings of the victims.
The VP disclosed that Plateaus State will benefit from the funds released by the Federal Government to the Minister of Agriculture for dry season farming in all states of the federation and the funds also released to the Minister of Health to respond to the health needs of those affected by the disaster.
In his response, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State commended the Federal Government for immediate response to the needs of the victims and lamented the quantum of loss caused by the flood.
He promised to judiciously utilise the funds provided by the Federal Government.