By Umar Mohd
The Management of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) on Monday in sympathising with the accident victims, presented new media working tools to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council.
The tools were lost during the unfortunate accident involving 13 Bauchi Journalists while covering the commissioning and handover of completed projects executed by NEDC to the Bauchi State Government recently.
Speaking during the presentation of the items at the NEDC Office in Gombe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed G. Alkali explained that the decision to replace the lost items was to ensure that the affected media organisations immediately return to work, as arrangements have been made to replace all five cameras so that their operations can continue without disruption.
Alkali Alkali further disclosed that, on a personal note, NEDC had also decided to replace the lost phones of the 13 journalists who will each be provided with a Samsung Galaxy A56 5G to enable them continue their professional duties effectively.
The NEDC boss also revealed that while the Bauchi State Government had taken steps to address all the medical needs of the injured journalists, the Commission had further donated N5 million to support their medical expenses.
While presenting a condolence letter and the support on behalf of the Commission, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, supported by the NEDC Chairman, Maj. Gen. Paul Tarfa (Rtd), thanked Almighty God that no life was lost in the incident and acknowledged the pain, shock, and losses suffered by the journalists and officials involved, saying journalists remain critical partners in documenting and communicating the activities of the Commission.
The donated items include 5 units of cameras (3 canon, 2 Sony), 5 units of Tripods, 5 units of wires, 5 units of LED lights, 5 units of Microphone and Phones 13 units (Samsung Galaxy A56 5G) for the journalists involved in the accident.
Responding on behalf of the journalists, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, expressed gratitude to the NEDC for the timely intervention, describing the gesture as compassionate and commendable.
He commended the management of the Commission under Mohammed Goni Alkali for its prompt response and proactive support, describing the replacement of the equipment as a demonstration of NEDC’s commitment to the media and continuity of work.
He also appealed to the Commission to consider paying health insurance fee of N40,000 per journalist in the North-East to enhance their welfare while on duty and appreciated the Bauchi State Government for its support towards the treatment of the injured journalists especially the personal concern shown by Governor Bala Mohammed towards rescuing the victims.
On his part, the Chairman of NUJ Bauchi State Council, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, narrated that the victims were initially evacuated to the Cottage Hospital in Yelwan Duguri before being transferred to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi by the State government.
He commended the commitment shown by the NEDC and Bauchi State Government officials, noting that despite being en route to another commissioning site, they immediately returned upon receiving news of the accident.
Comrade Sa’idu also specially acknowledged the efforts of the Head of Corporate Services, Alhaji Abba Musa, and the General Manager, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Batulu Isa Mohammed, for their dedication and support throughout the emergency period.
