Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that the post-insurgency assessment in the North-East region showed that attacks by Boko Haram have cost the region a total of $9 billion, with Borno State, the epicenter of the insurgency, bearing the brunt of these losses, amounting to $6.8 billion. Here are the key points from his statement:
Shettima made these remarks during a speech in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, while launching palliative distribution efforts by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on people in the region.
He expressed concern about the displacement of several emirs who were left without emirates to govern as a result of the insurgency.
Shettima stated that Boko Haram had inflicted significant damages on the North-East, and the post-insurgency recovery peace-building assessment report, validated by the World Bank, European Union, and the Presidency, estimated these damages at $9 billion, with Borno alone accounting for $6.8 billion of that total.
He highlighted the economic challenges faced by the region, comparing it to nations like Chad and Niger, emphasizing the need for support and development in the North-East.
Shettima also commended the efforts of governors in the region, acknowledging the role of the PDP Governors of Bauchi and Adamawa states in supporting Borno State.
Regarding the NEDC, Shettima dispelled rumors about power struggles in the organization and praised the reappointment of the Managing Director, Mohammed Goni, and the Chairman, Paul Tarfa. He noted that they had left behind a substantial amount of N237 billion, which was unprecedented in Nigerian governance history.
The NEDC is committed to combating hunger in the 110 Local Government Areas in the region and planned to donate food and non-food items costing about N15 billion to various entities, including state governors, senatorial districts, federal constituencies, and state House of Assemblies, with the assistance of the Vice President.
In summary, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized the severe economic impact of Boko Haram attacks in the North-East, particularly in Borno State. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the region and the efforts of the NEDC in addressing these issues through palliative measures and development initiatives.