The Abia State Government, working together with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has started sharing relief materials to communities affected by recent clashes in the state.
The people receiving these items are from Umuobasi Ukwu in Ozuitem, Bende Local Government Area, and Okunaku in Ohafia Local Government Area.
The materials given out include 25kg bags of rice, cartons of tomatoes, vegetable oil, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, iodized salt, and bags of cement. These items are meant to help reduce the suffering of people affected by the crisis.
While launching the distribution, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, who was represented by Comrade Ndubuisi Ume, thanked NEMA for responding quickly. He also advised community leaders to make sure the items are shared fairly to those who truly need them.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Sunny Jackson, said the agency acted quickly after receiving reports of the clashes between Okunaku in Ohafia and Ozuitem in Bende. He explained that SEMA informed NEMA immediately, which helped in getting approval and releasing the relief materials on time.
Dr. Jackson thanked NEMA for its quick support and also praised the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, for creating an environment that made the fast delivery of the items possible.
Also speaking, the Head of NEMA Owerri Operations Office, Mr. Igwe Nnamdi, represented by Mrs. Akudo Oriaku, said the agency responded quickly after receiving the report and attended the event as directed by NEMA’s Director-General.
In their responses, community representatives Mr. Uduma Chikezie Kalu from Okunaku and Dr. Kenneth Anyalechi from Ozuitem thanked the government and its partners. They promised that the materials would be shared openly and fairly among the affected people.
