The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed food and other items to victims of market fire incidents in Ikom and Ogoja, Cross River.

The fire incidents, which occurred four days apart, destroyed properties and goods worth millions of naira.

Zubaida Umar, the director-general of NEMA, through her representative, Mmandu Aisueni, NEMA’s head of operations in Uyo, made the distribution to both affected Local Government Areas separately.

Ms Umar expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families, saying the items were meant to cushion the effects of the incidents on the victims.

She said it was a thing of joy that no life was lost in the two fire incidents, noting that it was regrettable that several shops and goods were burnt in the inferno.

“We deemed it necessary to come to visit you with some relief items to ameliorate the impact of this disaster that has befallen us in this trying time.

“As stated, these items are not meant to replace whatever loss you must have suffered in the inferno, but serve as a temporary relief to enable us to forge ahead,” she said.

In his remarks, Antigha Gil, director-general of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the state government commended NEMA for distributing the relief items.

He noted that the government had written to NEMA about the need to assist the victims of the fire incident at Ikom and Ogoja markets. He described the distribution as timely and beneficial.

“When the incidents occurred, I personally visited the two markets and carried out an assessment of the situation, after which I wrote to the NEMA about it.

“What you are seeing today is in response to our message, and I can tell you that the distribution was perfectly done in the presence of security agencies.

“The state is also looking towards doing the same thing soon as all the victims have been profiled and properly identified,” he stated.

Some victims, Nnamdi Okonkwo and John Dickson, appreciated NEMA SEMA for remembering them and finding ways to improve their lives.

(NAN)