By Christian Njoku
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials and building items to victims of recent fire outbreaks in Agbokim and Karaboat communities in Cross River.
The distribution which was carried out on Tuesday in Agbokim, Etung Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River by NEMA’s Uyo Operations Office included 600 bags each of 25kg rice and “garri” and 100 bags of beans, 25kg.
Others include 400 bags of cement, 60 cartons each of seasoning, salt, Vegetable oil and tomato paste.
It would be recalled that there was a massive fire incident in Agbokim on January 19, 2026, which destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Following this incident, NEMA on February 27, 2026, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of Agbokim and Karaboat communities following a distress call from Cross River Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Flagging off the distribution, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar sympathised with the victims.
Represented by Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operation Office, Umar assured them of NEMA’s commitment to providing timely humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected communities nationwide.
“This intervention forms part of the agency’s continuous efforts to support vulnerable persons and communities impacted by emergencies and disasters,” she said.
On his part, Secretary to the Government of Cross River, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, commended the Federal Government and NEMA for their prompt intervention.
Owan-Enoh used the opportunity to appeal for sustained support to ease the hardship faced by residents affected by the fire incidents in the communities.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr Manyo Ayuk thanked the Federal Government, NEMA and the Cross River Government for the timely intervention.
“This relief support is timely and impactful for many of the families here struggling to recover from the devastating fire incidents and so, we are grateful,” he maintained.
The exercise attracted other stakeholders, like government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
