Zamfara governor, Bello Muhammed (Matawallen Maradu) has appealed to the federal government to release the N10 billion special intervention funds promised the state for the support to victims of banditry and flood disasters.
In a statement signed by the press secretary to the governor, Jamilu Iliyasu Birnin Magaji, the governor made the appeal Monday during a special town hall meeting on the state of the nation organised by the federal government in Gusau, the state capital.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Bala Bello Maru, said Zamfara state is one of the frontline states in the northern part of the country with cases of armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and flood disaster with many people rendered homeless, hence the need for the federal government to release the N10 billion special intervention funds for immediate resettlement and assistance to the victims in order to cushion their hardship.
The governor also called on the federal government to construct the Dansadau-Birnin-Gwari-Minna federal road cutting through Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states as part of measures to check the advantage used by armed bandits.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to use the stick and carrot approach to ensure the sustenance of peace and tranquility in all parts of the state.
He also called for the establishment of synergy between the state government and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, for the formation of a joint committee that will be sharing support and assistance to the masses so everyone will be covered.
The governor also informed the gathering that Zamfara state has not experienced #EndSARS protest and any other violence, adding that the palliatives given to the state by the federal government had been distributed to the deserving beneficiaries in the state.
In her address, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, said a total of 282, 529 pupils are currently being fed under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme in Zamfara state by her ministry.
The minister said the scheme was being carried out in 1,759 schools cutting across all the 14 local government areas of the state and employing 2000 cooks.
Hajiya Sadiya Farouk stated that the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, ongoing activities of armed bandits and the flooding experienced in Northwest region of the country led to the displacement of over 247,000 persons in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger states.
