By Gloria Afajagbe
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have distributed relief materials to Edo State residents affected by 2022 flood.
Flagging off the distribution, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon noted that the relief items was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari due to his concern for the Niger Delta region and to ameliorate the sufferings of flood victims.
He added that the Government cannot replace the losses caused by flood, but the relief items will help reduce the burden faced by the people.
“NEMA has done the need assessment and identified the local government highly affected by the flood, and the relief items are earmarked to be distributed to them in order to rehabilitate the people.
“The items comprise social relief care packs which includes Mattresses, Pillows, Blankets, Cooking Pots, Nutritional Packs which includes cartons of noodles, bags of rice, bag of beans and seasoning.
“Others are livelihood items such grinding machine, sewing machine, hair, clippers as well as building Materials which includes cement, roofing sheet, nails, ceiling board, wood, among others”, he said.
On his part, Head of NEMA Operation Office, Edo State, Dahiru Yusuf said that seven local government areas in the state, including Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Ovia North East, Esan North East, Esan South East, Etsako West and Etsako East will benefit from the first phase of the distribution of the items.
In his remarks, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dorcas Idehen, commended the federal government, MNDA and NEMA for identifying with the flood victims in the state.