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Uyo, Itu, Abak and Uruan receive flood relief materials.
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Rice, beans, maize, noodles, vegetable oil, toiletries and other household necessities.
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The intervention is being implemented in collaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Benefiting local government officials pledged to ensure that the materials reach affected residents.
October 14, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the distribution of food and non-food relief materials to flood-affected residents in four local government areas as part of efforts to cushion the impact of flooding on vulnerable households.
The benefiting local government areas are Uyo, Itu, Abak and Uruan, where residents affected by recent flooding incidents are expected to receive essential supplies provided by the state government in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, who handed over the relief materials to officials of the benefiting councils, said the intervention reflected the administration’s commitment to supporting residents affected by natural disasters.
The supplies include 25kg bags of rice, beans, maize, noodles, wrappers, salt, sugar, vegetable oil and toiletries.
Speaking during the handover exercise, Ibanga said the state government recognised the difficulties faced by residents whose livelihoods and household resources had been affected by the flooding.
“We are here to hand over these palliatives on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of our partners donating food and non-food items for flood victims,” she said.
The commissioner added that although flooding was an unfortunate natural disaster, government had a responsibility to support affected residents and provide relief where necessary.
“We are aware that some residents of these areas were affected by flooding. This is a natural disaster that nobody prays for, but when it happens, government has a responsibility to reach out to the affected people and provide the necessary support,” Ibanga said.
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She urged the benefiting local government councils to ensure that the materials reached the intended beneficiaries, particularly households facing hardship as a result of the disaster.
“We are determined to ensure that residents affected by flooding receive the support they need to cope with the immediate challenges arising from the disaster.
“Our priority is to ensure that these relief materials reach the genuinely affected households through the benefiting local government councils.
“We also appreciate our partners for supporting the state’s humanitarian response and urge all relevant officials to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process,” she stressed.
Receiving the items on behalf of the councils, officials from the four local government areas expressed appreciation to the state government and pledged to ensure that the relief materials were distributed to eligible residents.
Uyo Local Government Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, was represented by the Secretary of Council, Dr Ubong Udofia, while Itu Chairman, Hon. Ubong Nkutt, was represented by Mr Imo Okon.
Abak Local Government Chairman, Lady Ime Charles, was represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mfon Udo Udom, while the Vice Chairman of Uruan Local Government, Mrs Grace Edem, represented the council chairman.
The officials said the intervention would provide support to residents affected by the flooding and assured the state government that the materials would be channelled to the appropriate beneficiaries.
In Abak, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, who witnessed the handover at the local government secretariat, commended the state government for extending the relief intervention to affected residents in the area.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs was accompanied by the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim.
