By Akanimo Sampson
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has distributed relief materials to 1,112 households devastated by a windstorm that swept through four communities in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Ogomogom, Akorofono, Nkarasi and Abinti communities in the local government area bore the brunt of the windstorm which pulled off roofs, destroyed houses with loss of properties.
NEMA Director General, Muhammadu Muhammed, who flagged off the relief distribution at the council secretariat, sympathized with the affected persons, noting the relief items were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for delivery to them by the Agency.
Considering this year’s flood forecasts, the NEMA chief, represented by the agency’s South South Zonal Coordinator, Godwin Tepikor, advised the people that to minimize the predicted floods’ impact, they must take seriously the forecast as concerning Cross River for preparedness, mitigation and response activities.
The items distributed were 556 bags of 12.5kg rice, 556 bags of 25kg beans, 556 bags of 12.5 kg of Garri, 56 kegs of palm oil, 93 cartons of seasoning cubes, 46 cartons of tomato paste and 1112 pieces of blankets.
Others included 1112 pieces of foam mattress, 725 cartons of bath soap, 556 pieces of wax print, 700 bundles of roofing sheets, 185 bags of 3″ nails, 370 packets of zinc nail and 1668 pieces of ceiling boards.
Responding on behalf of the Cross State Government, Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Princewill Ayim, appreciated the President’s empathy and NEMA’s prompt and direct distribution of the humanitarian support.Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr. Kingsley Egumi, also appreciated the Federal Government for the relief support delivered through NEMA. Representatives of the beneficiaries Madam Okongor Ndoma-Yala and Elder Nfam Douglas Akong also appreciated Mr. President and NEMA for coming to their rescue in good time.
