Abia, NEMA Distribute Relief Materials to Victims of Windstorm, Fire and Erosion Disasters

ABIA – The State Government in collaboration with NEMA and SEMA has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to victims of windstorm, fire outbreak and gully erosion affected communities in the state.

The 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 SSG, Dr Emmanuel Meribole represented by the Executive Secretary, Abia State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Sunny Jackson, said they received reports of the disasters and promptly notified the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for intervention explaining that they embarked on joint rapid assessment in the affected communities to ascertain the extent of the damage and the needs of the victims.

Dr Meribole lauded Nema for their swift response which according to him will go a long way in cushioning the effects of the disasters on the affected residents noting that the items being distributed are not intended to replace properties and valuables lost during the disasters but are meant to mitigate the impact on the victims and provide immediate support. He described the gesture as a demonstration of government’s concern for the welfare of its citizens.

The SSG commended Governor Alex Otti for being passionate about the issue pertaining to disaster management as well as retrofitting roads prone to flood disaster and gully erosion control.

In their separate responses, the representative of the beneficiaries from Umuikpoma community Bende, Mr Victor Ubani and his counterpart from Umuoru umuode community, osisioma Local Government Area, Mr Joseph Esiaba, expressed gratitude to the State Government for its swift intervention following the disaster that affected their areas.

The representative of the Nema, Mr Ekpe Chidiebere, representative of the red Cross among others were present during the flag off.