ReliefWeb

LAGOS, Jul 18, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) - The Nigerian government has donated 6,500 bags of grains to Niger Republic as part of efforts to mitigate the ravaging drought in its northern neighboring country, the official News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Monday.

The relief consignment, worth 54 million naira (about 415,000 US dollars) was presented to Niger by the Jigawa state government at the weekend in Babura, a border town between the two countries.

The grains, including millet, maize and sorghum, were conveyed in 16 trucks from Jigawa to Damagaran in Niger Republic for distribution to the affected communities, said Malam Ibrahim Dandoka, chairman of Nigeria's Donation Committee.

Presenting the items, he said "the donation is a gesture based on the spirit of neighborliness and brotherhood between the two countries."

He added that the measure was aimed to alleviate the hardship experienced by the Nigerien communities that suffered from famine.

"The donation is to reduce the current hardship experienced by the people of Niger Republic," he said.

He added that the donation would go a long way in reducing famine and ensuring food security, noting that "the measure is taken to promote security in the border communities."