NEMA donates relief materials to 2022 affected flood victims in A’Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to 2022 affected flood victims in Akwa Ibom to ameliorate their sufferings.

The Director General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed announced the donation during a courtesy visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel in Government House in Uyo on Friday. 

Ahmed said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of the relief materials to the state as a part of the Federal Government’s efforts to come to the needs of citizens during the disaster period.

He said that Akwa Ibom is amongst the worst-hit state during the 2022 flood season which was the reason for the donation.

He said that NEMA would continue to support persons in need of assistance in times of emergency.

“Today, we are here in Uyo to commiserate with the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State over the human and material losses suffered as a result of the flood disaster.

“We are also to hand over relief assistance in form of food and non-food items including; clothing and hygiene materials to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom.

“Part of the relief intervention comprises grains and Garri from the Strategic Reserves of the Federal Government as approved by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to support vulnerable Nigerians in time of food shortage.

“These materials are expected to give immediate succour to affected persons to enable them to live in a dignified manner during this difficult moment,” Ahmed said.

The DG said that the relief materials were to ameliorate their sufferings as NEMA could not compensate people for the distress and traumatic experiences of persons affected by disaster impacts.

In his remarks, Gov. Udom Emmanuel, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, thanked NEMA and the federal government for the relief materials donated to the state.

Emmanuel assured that the relief materials would be distributed evenly to all flood victims to ameliorate their sufferings.

He donated an office complex to the Agency for use to ease their services during disaster management within Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

He said that the state government has established Emergency Management Committees for each of the 31 Local Government Areas to take disaster risk management to the grassroots.

He extended appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the donation of relief materials and support given to flood victims.

Our correspondent reports that the relief materials donated by NEMA include; 1, 000 bags of 10kg rice, 1, 000 bags of 10kg beans, 1, 000 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of 20kg salt, 75 kegs of 20litres vegetable oil, 150 cartons of seasoning cubes and 75 cartons of tin tomato.

Other items include; 8,000 pieces of nylon mats 1,000 pieces mosquito treated nets, 600 cartons of bar soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade, 1, 000 pieces of children’s wear, 1,000 pieces of women’s wear and 1,000 pieces of men’s wear and 105 metric tonnes of maize among others.