The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has handed over 125 kg(292.4 metric tons) of grains to Ondo State Government for victims of various flood disasters in the state.
This followed President Muhammadu Buhari order that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should start the distribution of the grains from strategic reserves to the affected states in the country
The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed,at the handing over ceremony in Akure said the president had approved the immediate release of 12,000 metric tons from the National Strategic Reserve Stock for distribution to all states and the FCT.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Dr Onimode Bandele,said 2100 bags of maize (50kg), 1774 bags of sorghum (50 kg) and 3948 bags of garri (25 kg) were brought to Ondo State to cushion the effect of the various flood disasters.
Also, the D-G said that the victims of flood disasters in the ongoing year, apart from the 125 kg of grains from the strategic reserve, would get another set of food and non-food items which had also been delivered to the state.
Ahmed said the result of the assessment of the people affected by the flood showed that 5235 households were affected by with several houses being destroyed and farmlands submerged in the state.
He said that no government in the world could compensate individual losses from disaster occurrence, but the Federal Government through NEMA had the responsibilities to help them get back and restarted their lives through relief interventions.
Ahmed listed those items to include;1000 bags of rice, 1000 bags of beans, 1000 bags of maize, 75 bags of salt,75kegs of vegetable oil, 150 cartons of seasoning cube and 75 cartons of tin tomatoes for food items.
He listed the non-food items as; 7350 pieces of nylon mats,1000 pieces of treated mosquito nets,600 cartons of bath soap, 2500 pieces of guinea brocade,1000 pieces of children’s wear,1000 pieces of women’s wear and 1000 pieces of men’s wear.
Ahmed said that the relief interventions was a testimony that the Federal Government was always concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of the people of Ondo State.
“May I also use this opportunity to appeal to his Excellency, Mr Governor, to further enhance and strengthen the capacities of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
“This is to enable them implement and take disaster risk strategies to the grassroots in line with global best practices as the practice of waiting for disaster to occur before reacting is no longer in vogue all over the world.
“This is with the understanding that every disaster happens in a particular community and in a particular Local Government Area. The first life-saving responders are always from the local community. As the saying goes; “disasters are always local, the lifesaving first responders are always local too”,” he said.
Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa,while receiving the items said NEMA had always shown that they are strategic partners that had not always shy away from it’s responsibilities.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Idowu Ojo, assured that the materials would be given to those it was meant for.
Also, Secretary of Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA),Mr Femi Obideyi appreciated the gesture of the Federal Government and promised to deliver accordingly.