The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to communities affected by the recent flood in Imo State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the NDDC Imo State Office, Owerri, the Acting Managing Director, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, said that it was part of the Commission’s intervention to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the affected areas.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, represented by the Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, noted: “This is a continuation of the Commission’s intervention in the Niger Delta region. We have also flagged off the distribution of relief materials in Rivers and Delta states and will do so in other states in the coming days.
“We hope that these relief items will help to cushion the effects of the flood and provide succour to the vulnerable flood victims, especially during this yuletide season.”
He declared: “We are also preparing to flag off our region-wide free healthcare programme. The free medical mission is currently going through the procurement process and we will ensure that we work closely with the state governments to execute this.”
Earlier in his address, the NDDC Director, Imo State Office, Engr. Tony Okanne, said that the donation of relief materials was necessary to assist the flood victims and prevent secondary disaster that would aggravate their pains.
Okanne urged the local government officials in the flood hit areas to judiciously distribute the materials to the victims in various communities in their local governments.
Applauding the NDDC for fulfilling its mandate as an interventionist agency, the Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, Hon. Ijeoma Ofili, called on other agencies of government and private organisations to emulate the NDDC by donating relief materials to communities affected by flood.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Prince Marcel Amadioha, assured the NDDC that the relief items would get to each and every beneficiary.
The traditional ruler of Abacheke Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Ezeali Stanley Ikeji, thanked the NDDC for coming to the rescue of the people ravaged by flood. He stated: “In our history as a people, we have never experienced this kind of flooding. Thank you NDDC for this kind gesture.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the Imo State Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Henry Okafor, thanked the NDDC for its response to the welfare of the flood victims in the State. He recalled that the Commission had earlier donated essential medications, including anti-malaria, antibiotics, anti-fungal, anti-diarrhea, among others, to the Imo State Government.
