The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Wednesday, launched the distribution of relief materials to persons and communities affected by fire, windstorm, and gully erosion in Abia.

The distribution was coordinated by NEMA, in collaboration with the Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in Umuahia.

The Head of Operations, NEMA Owerri Office, Nnamdi Igwe, formally handed over the items to the Executive Secretary, Abia SEMA, Sunday Jackson.

Mr Igwe, represented by a staff member in his office, Chidebere Ekpe, said that NEMA approved emergency assistance to victims of the recent disasters in Bende and Osisioma LGAs.

The materials include 400 bags of 25kg rice, 400 cartons of spaghetti, 40 cartons of seasoning cubes, 40 cartons of tomato paste, 40 cartons of five-litre vegetable oil, and 40 cartons of iodized salt.

Receiving the items, Mr Jackson said the intervention “followed a joint rapid assessment of the affected communities by NEMA and SEMA”.

He said: “Today we are witnessing the launch of relief assistance to communities and persons affected by windstorm, fire outbreak and gully erosion in Bende and Osisioma LGAs of Abia.

“Once we got information about the problems in these communities, we reported to NEMA and it was very swift in granting approval.

“This approval will go a long way in cushioning the impact of the disaster.”

Mr Jackson commended Governor Alex Otti for providing the enablement for disaster management in the state.

He highlighted the positive impacts of the governor’s investment in road rehabilitation and erosion control measures, especially in flood and erosion-prone areas.

“The governor is disaster-management friendly.

“He has fixed many roads in areas prone to flooding and also built erosion control measures.

“These are legacy projects that will reduce the impact of disasters in Abia,” Mr Jackson said.

Victor Ubani, representing Umuokwuoma Ndiambe Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem Community in Bende LGA, responded on behalf of the benefiting communities.

“We are very pleased with the governor, NEMA and everyone involved. We are grateful,” Mr Ubani said.

The communities were assured that distribution would commence immediately. 

(NAN)