The State Government, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to victims of windstorms, fire outbreaks, and gully erosion in affected communities across the state.
The relief items include 400 bags of 25kg rice, spaghetti, 40 cartons of seasoning cubes, tomato paste, vegetable oil, and iodized salt.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Sunny Jackson, said the government received reports of the disasters and promptly notified the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for intervention.
He explained that a joint rapid assessment was conducted in the affected communities to ascertain the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of the victims.
Dr. Jackson commended NEMA for its swift response, noting that the intervention would go a long way in cushioning the effects of the disasters on affected residents. He emphasized that the relief materials were not intended to replace properties and valuables lost during the disasters but were meant to mitigate the impact on victims and provide immediate support.
He described the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s concern for the welfare of its citizens.
The SSG also commended Governor Alex Otti for his commitment to disaster management issues, as well as his administration’s efforts in retrofitting roads prone to flooding and implementing gully erosion control measures across the state.
In their separate remarks, representatives of the beneficiary communities, Mr. Victor Ubani of Umuikpoma Community in Bende and Mr. Joseph Esiaba of Umuoru Umuode Community in Osisioma LGA, expressed gratitude to the State Government for its swift intervention following the disasters that affected their areas.
They also commended NEMA and SEMA for the timely distribution of relief materials, noting that the support would significantly alleviate the suffering of residents and aid their recovery from the impact of the disasters.
The representative of NEMA, Mr. Ekpe Chidiebere, as well as representatives of the Red Cross and other stakeholders, were present at the flag-off ceremony.
