The Nasarawa State Government, on Wednesday, distributed relief materials to the victims of the windstorm in the Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

The Director-General, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Benjamin Akwash,  presented the items to the affected persons in Lafia.

According to him, the items, which are mainly building materials, were procured by the state government to support persons whose houses were severely destroyed by the windstorm.

He said that Governor Abdullahi Sule, who he described as a compassionate leader, had earlier directed his agency to conduct a thorough assessment to ascertain the level of damage.

He stated, “As you are aware, last year in the month of April, various communities here within Lafia metropolis experienced a very severe windstorm.

“This windstorm ravaged so many houses and had their roofs removed while some of the houses collapsed. In his characteristic manner, the governor dispatched us to conduct an extensive assessment to enable the government to reach out to the victims.”

Mr Akwash noted that the gesture demonstrated the sensitivity of the administration of Sule to the plight of citizens.

“The essence of government is the protection of lives and property, the maintenance of law and order, and the provision of the welfare and security of the people.

“It is based on this that we are handing over these items to people who suffered losses during the windstorm,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Sibawaihi Yakubu, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked  the governor and NASEMA for the support.

“We are grateful to the government for this kind gesture. We did not find it easy when our houses were destroyed by a windstorm, but we are relieved with this support,” he said.

The items distributed included bundles of roofing sheets, bags of cement, cartons of roofing nails, soap, mosquito nets, and mattresses among others. 

(NAN)