NEMA attends to Ondo flood victims, gives relief materials
The relief materials. Photo: NEMA
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has urged grassroots governments to initiate policies aimed at assisting communities in combating weather-related disasters and building a resilient nation.
Umar, represented by the Assistant Chief Search and Rescue Officer of NEMA Ado Ekiti Office, Mr Abogunrin Adesina, also called on local governments to intensify sensitisation efforts to reduce the incidence of disasters and mitigate their impact.
NEMA Officials presenting the items to the affected residents. Photo: NEMA
According to a statement released by the agency in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the NEMA DG spoke at Oyin Akoko during the flag-off and distribution of relief materials to flood-affected persons in Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Local Government Areas of Ondo State on Wednesday. The exercise was part of the Federal Government Special Intervention for the 2025 flood.
The materials distributed included 300 bags of 25kg rice, 300 bags of 25kg maize, and 150 cartons of spaghetti.
The relief materials. Photo: NEMA
She said, “These relief materials are not intended to compensate for losses suffered, but rather as a demonstration of our shared humanity and commitment to your recovery.”
Umar commiserated with the affected communities and reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to providing timely and effective disaster response.
She added, “In the wake of climate change being witnessed globally, there is a need for government, especially at the grassroots, to commit more efforts towards sensitising and initiating policies to assist communities in combating weather-related disasters and building a resilient country.”
The House of Representatives member representing Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its timely intervention.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Logistics, Mr Peter Paul, Ehindero assured beneficiaries of the transparent distribution of the relief materials.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Muyiwa Adu thanked the Federal Government and the NEMA DG for their support during what he described as a challenging period.
Several communities in Ondo State were ravaged by severe floods in July following heavy downpours, leaving residents to count their losses. The floods damaged roads, bridges, and houses, displaced residents, and forced markets to close, disrupting socio-economic activities.
Some of the affected communities included Uso, Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, and Akoko South-West Local Government Areas, with many motorists stranded due to collapsed bridges. In Okitipupa Local Government Area, the affected communities included Ayeka, Ikoya, Igbodigo, Igodanlisa, Igboegunrin, Igbotako, and Ilutitun.
