By Dauda R Pam MAIDUGURI
Member Representing Askira – Uba and Hawul Federal Constituency in Borno state, Dr. Haruna Mshelia,has commended the foresight of the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Engineer Mustapha Maihaja and other stakeholders for the prompt approval and delivery of assorted relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)/victims of Boko Haram attacks in his constituency.
Also appreciated are, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for facilitating delivery and prompt endorsement of his request letter respectively of the relief items.
It could be recalled that many people in Askira Uba and Hawul local Government Areas were displaced by insurgents, but chose not to stay in any official camps, rather resides with their relatives and friends, despite their own predicament.
The Lawmaker stated this during the official handing/presentation of the relief items in Askira -Uba for onward distribution to beneficiaries in the presence of NEMA, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) officials, Security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups and politicians devoid of party affiliations.
He said, it is in history that the traumatized people of his constituency, especially those who had suffered insurgent’s devastating attacks and destruction of hard-earned properties, decided not to flee their communities, nor move to any designated resettlement camps in Maiduguri, the state capital or nearby camps, but took to resilience and remained in their villages and communities safeguard their dignity.
Hence, as their Federal Lawmaker, he had to visit the Headquarters of NEMA in Abuja recently to seek assistance for his people.
Dr. Haruna while addressing thousands of beneficiaries in hitherto destroyed communities, directed for judicious distribution of the items to reach people of Kopa, Whuyim, Gwandang, Tabang, Ngurthavu, Dille, Ngohi, Ngulde, Lassa, Kuthundla, Mutkum, Garin Galang and Tabang among other affected communities in Askira – Uba Local Government, whose villages and towns are still not safe, and are in dare need of relief items.
He thanked them for their resilience and patience, promising that, as their representative, he will leave no stone unturned to put smile on their faces at all times, irrespective of party affiliations.
The Lawmaker, however, called on the people of the constituencies to unite and be prayerful for peace to reign and give their maximum support to the All Progressive Congress (APC) led government which is committed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the electorates.
Among the items donated are 400 bags of parboiled rice (12.5kg), 400 bags of maize (12.5kg), 400 bags of beans (25kg), 80 bags of iodized salt, 60 cartons of Tin Tomatoes and 80 kegs of Palm Oil.
Others include 60 cartons of powdered milk, 60 cartons of Milo, 1 Truck of cement (600 bags), 600 bundles of zinc, 600 bags of roofing nails, 120 packets of zinc nails, 800 pieces of foam mattresses, 800 pieces of nylon mat, 800 blankets, and 800mosquitoes nets. End