By Kazeem Waris
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials and empowerment equipment to about 700 households affected by the 2025 flooding in Jigawa State, as part of efforts to restore livelihoods and support economic recovery.
The intervention, approved by President Bola Tinubu through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), is designed to help affected families recover from the disaster and rebuild their sources of income.
The State Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwal D. Sankara, disclosed this during the flag-off of the distribution exercise in Dutse.
He said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s Special Intervention on Post-2025 Flood Disaster Relief Assistance to States, aimed at reducing the hardship faced by victims and helping them resume productive activities.
Sankara said the empowerment items included 54 pumping machines, 48 grinding machines, 40 sewing machines and 10 cargo tricycles to support farming and other income-generating activities.
The beneficiaries would also receive food and household supplies, including 500 bags of 25kg rice, 250 cartons of spaghetti, 500 foam mattresses, 250 cartons of vegetable oil, 250 nylon mats and 250 blankets.
The commissioner commended Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians affected by natural disasters.
He recalled that the Jigawa State Government, through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), had earlier distributed relief materials to affected communities within days of the flooding.
According to him, the state provided more than 11,000 bags of rice, beans and maize, alongside cash assistance and other food items to hundreds of victims.
He added that improved seeds and other agricultural inputs were also distributed to affected farmers to enable them to resume farming and strengthen food security.
Sankara said the Federal Government’s intervention would complement the state’s efforts to cushion the impact of the disaster and help affected households regain economic stability.
Officials of NEMA and SEMA, as well as representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Red Cross and security agencies, participated in the distribution.
The security agencies included the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
