By Chris Njoku
AKAMKPA (CONVERSEER) – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented relief materials to Ojuk North and South in Akamkpa Local Government Area, devastated by a wind storm few months ago.
Presenting the aid on Thursday to in the communities, Dr Victor Akpakpan, Head, Relief and Rehabilitation Department, NEMA, Uyo Office, said the gesture was a follow-up to NEMA’s assessment carried out some time ago following the wind storm that destroyed properties in the communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items presented to the communities were 300 25 kilogrammes bags of rice, 300 bags of ‘garri’ and 150 cartons of spaghetti.
Others were 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 30 bags of salt, 30 cartons of tomato paste and 30 cartons of seasoning cubes.
Akpakpan who spoke on behalf of Ms Aisueni Mmandu Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Office noted that after their assessment and report, the Federal Government decided to assist the communities by providing the relief materials.
According to him, “When there is a disaster the first thing that a victim needs is to take care of his or her stomach and that is what the Federal Government has done.
“However, we have done our assessment and reported to the Federal Government whatever will be added to assist the communities that suffered the effect of the devastating windstorm, the Federal Government will let us know.”
He advised communities to alert NEMA whenever there was a disaster and it would commence steps to assist, adding that the agency can’t be everywhere at the same time.
On her part, one of the beneficiaries, Anthonia Michael from Ojuk North, said they were elated when they saw the truck of food coming into their community, noting that it had not been easy for them, especially the women.
“The wind storm was a very serious matter in our community we thank God that nobody died but there was a massive devastation of property and economic trees.
“Throughout that night, many of us turned to prayer warriors for the storm to cease, at the end there was a lot of destructions, many left their houses because the wind came with massive rain and flood in the community,” she said.
While she thanked the Federal Government for the aid, she also appealed for some building materials like zinc, cement, nails so they could rebuild areas damaged by the storm.
Similarly John Agbor from Ojuk South commended the Federal Government for the gesture while also noting that the communities still lacked electricity and good roads.
