UNDP, Katsina Government Distribute Agricultural Relief in Jibia

In a concerted effort to support victims of banditry and other criminal activities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Katsina State Government, has distributed agricultural relief materials to residents of Jibia Local Government Area. This initiative is part of the broader effort to assist those affected by insecurity in the state.

Speaking with RadioNow’s Buhari Abubakar, the Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Professor Abdulhamid Ahamad, affirmed that the state government is committed to assisting victims of banditry across all 34 local governments in Katsina State. 

“The relief for the agricultural and livelihood support was distributed, as you said, to the people of Jibia local government, courtesy of the United Nations Development Programme and the support of Qatar’s government. The UNDP is currently conducting a kind of package support to the people of Jibia as a pilot local government. The activity we had last week was not the first one. The United Nations Development Programme, with the support of Qatar’s state government, has so far empowered over 1,000 people from Jibia.”

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Professor Ahamad further explained that the distribution of relief materials in Jibia is a pilot programme, with plans to expand support to other affected areas. He revealed that the state government submitted a recommendation to the UNDP last year to extend assistance to other local governments grappling with terrorism and criminal activities.

“The one happening in Jibia now is just a pilot. Towards the end of last year, 2024, we had a meeting with the donors. We evaluated the success of the program so far and as part of our recommendations, we urged the UNDP to kindly extend this gesture to other point-line local government areas suffering the menace or that have suffered the menace of this mandatory and Katero Sinan, other criminalities.And these other point-line local governments include Bathari, Safana, Damusa, Kara, Paskari, Dandim and Sabwa. These are the seven other local governments plus Jibia which has already been taken care of.”

Additionally, the Commissioner outlined that Jibia would receive further support, including the construction of 152 houses for victims, a climate peace hub that will house a large-scale entrepreneurship development centre, and the rehabilitation of the Jibia cattle market. These efforts are part of the state’s ongoing commitment to rebuilding affected communities.

“More things are coming in Jibia, currently 152 number of houses are being constructed for distribution to those victims, there is also an establishment of a climate peace hub which will be housing a large scale entrepreneurship development center where people will be trained, there will be market development, there are so many other things in the pipeline. Currently the Jibia cattle market is being improved with the rehabilitation of the cattle loading ramp, the veterinary clinic, lightening the whole market, so many other things. So it’s a whole lot of big package coming to Jibia, Inshallah.”