The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has flagged off the construction of 500 housing units in Taraba state.
The Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Muhammed Alkali, laid the foundation of the houses in Jalingo, the state capital, on Monday.
He said the housing project was part of Federal Government’s intervention to provide accommodation in states affected by insurgency.
He said 150 housing units will be constructed in Jalingo while 350 housing units will be constructed across other local government areas of the state.
The Managing Director stated that insurgency led to massive influx of thousands of people affected into towns and villages in areas not affected hence the demand of accommodation.
“Thousands of those affected by the insurgency were forced to move out of their towns and villages and are now staying in IDP camps and uncompleted structures and that what informed the decision by Federal government through the NEDC to provide houses in states in the North East,” he said.
Alhaji Alkali explained further that the houses when completed will help in solving needs of accommodation by people who are now staying in IDP camps and uncompleted structures.
He stressed that the commission will continue to implement it’s mandate of addressing challenges in the region and to restore means of livelihood of the people affected by insurgency.
He said it was the hope of the Federal government to see all those displaced by the insurgency are back to their towns and villages to restart their normal farming, business and other activities.
He also handed over assorted food items, house hold items and farming implements including tractors to governor Darius for distribution to internally displaced persons taking refuge in Taraba.
In his address, Governor Darius Ishaku expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the North East Development commission for the intervention and assured that all the items provided will be distributed to targetted group in the state.
