The National Emergency Management Agency distributed relief materials to victims of the ocean surge in Ondo on Wednesday.

Speaking at the presentation in Akure, NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar, who sympathised with the victims, said the gesture was to cushion the effect of the disaster.

Ms Umar said the items provided included rice, garri, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, tomato paste, vegetable oil and sanitary pads. She advised people in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as part of preventive measures.

“The 2025 predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which has been downscaled in Ondo State, have shown that Ilaje is likely to experience flooding due to a high volume of rainfall and high coastal tides.

“It is therefore necessary to strictly adhere to early warning alerts that disaster preventive measures are to be integrated into the community’s action plan.

“This will help to build a resilient community and mitigate the occurrence of disasters across the coastal communities in Ilaje local government,” Ms Umar said.

Frederick Orunko, the executive secretary of Ondo State Emergency Management Agency, appreciated the gesture of the federal government through NEMA for approving and releasing the items.

Mr Orunko said the items would cushion the negative effects of the disasters on the affected persons.

He advised the people to always adhere to early warning signals issued from relevant agencies to ensure that disaster occurrences were curtailed in the state.

(NAN)