The Taraba State government has called on the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide urgent assistance to communities across the state that have been severely affected by recent flooding. The plea was made by the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali, during a meeting with the NEDC management team in Jalingo, the state capital, on Thursday.
Expressing deep concern over the devastating impact of the floods, Alkali highlighted the collapse of major bridges that link the northern and southern parts of Taraba State, which has caused significant disruption and hardship for the local population.
“I wish to request that as you assess your projects around the state, you should also visit the flooded areas, especially the two bridges, and assist in any way you can to enable the government to fix them,” the Deputy Governor stated. He emphasized that the complete collapse of one of the bridges has not only affected the people in the immediate area but has also created challenges for the entire state.
Alkali also urged the NEDC to engage with the state government before initiating new projects, to ensure that they align with the specific needs of the local communities. “We also wish to appeal that the commission should always consult with the state government before siting projects,” he added, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts to maximize the benefits of development initiatives.
In response, Muhammad Alkali, the Managing Director of NEDC, informed the Deputy Governor that the commission’s management team was in Taraba for a project oversight visit. He assured the state government that the NEDC is committed to completing ongoing projects and initiating new ones that will directly benefit the affected communities.
This appeal from the Taraba State government underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by natural disasters and to ensure that infrastructure development meets the immediate needs of the people.
