A’Ibom govt, NEMA distribute relief materials to Eastern Obolo

Akpan Umoh

The Akwa Ibom State government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have distributed relief materials to people of Emereoke group of villages in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, who suffered from natural disaster in September.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, who flagged off the distribution of the materials in Emereoke village on Thursday, stated that the state government was sensitive to the plight of its citizens.

Ekpo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, said that in spite of government’s commitment towards the welfare of its citizens, efforts must also be made by all to ensure the safety of their environment.

He said: “The Government of Akwa Ibom State has re-emphasized its resolve to ensure that communities affected by natural disasters receive the prompt attention of government.

“Although Government is committed to the welfare of its citizens, efforts must also be made by all to ensure the safety of their environments.”

Ekpo said that as part of the holistic measures in tackling the scourge of floods in all parts of the state.

According to him, government has commenced a N12 billion anti-flooding project on the IBB Way in collaboration with the World Bank and NEWMAP.

The deputy governor added that the project which would go through 18 communities in the three local government areas of Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom, covering a distance of 7.2 kilometres.

He noted that since erosion control works were quite capital intensive, the state government could not do it all alone, hence collaboration with World Bank and relevant agencies.

He commended the NEMA for the intervention in disaster communities and its continued assistance to the state in times need.

Earlier, the Local Government Council Chairman of Eastern Obolo, Mr Abraham Odion, thanked the state government and NEMA for conducting a timely assessment for the prompt intervention.

Odion said that the relief materials were a timely life-saving empowerment that would provide succour to the people of Emereoke group of villages. Distributed items were bundles of zinc, nails, bags of rice, beans, salt, sugar, vegetable oil, cartons of seasoning, pasta, bar soaps, detergents, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, buckets, and mattresses.