NEMA Distributes Relief Materials To Victims of Communal Crisis In Cross River  

By CrossRiverWatch Admin

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to victims of communal crisis in Abi local government area of the state.

The agency donated the materials following the communal conflict that erupted between Usumutong, Ediba and Afafanyi communities in Abi local government area on January 2, 2018.

Donating the materials on Friday in Calabar, the Director General of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja, said an extensive assessment was carried out in the area and based on recommendations, the federal government approved the donation of relief materials to the victims.

Maihaja, who was represented by Mr Walson Brandon, South South Zonal Coordinator of the agency, said the agency and the federal government commiserate with the victims for their loss.

“Based on recommendations, the following relief materials were approved by the federal government to support the victims; 600 bags of cement, 20 bags of nails, 50 packets of Zinc nails and 500 pieces of ceiling board.

“Others are 40 cartons of tin tomatoes, 500 pieces of blankets, 500 pieces of wax paint, 20 cartons of detergent, 500 pieces of mosquitoes net, 10 kegs of palm oil and 10 kegs of vegetable oil.

“These materials are now to be distributed directly to the affected persons by officials of the agency’s zonal office in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA),’’ he said.

Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, lauded the kind gesture of NEMA in responding to the plight of the affected communities in Cross River.
Esu queried the affected communities who are still indulging in communal crisis across the state, adding that there was no justification in carrying arms.
He said that communal crisis had impacted negatively on the affected communities across the state, thereby advising residents in Abi local government area to cultivate peaceful co-existence with their neighbours.

The Acting Director General of SEMA, Mr Princewill Ayim, said the state has over 47,000 Internally Displaced Persons occasioned by communal crisis, flood and windstorm, adding that the state governor, Ben Ayade was doing his best to alleviate their plight.

Ayim stressed the need for warring communities in the state to embrace peaceful co-existence with their neighbours, adding that no meaningful development can thrive in a hostile environment.

He thanked NEMA and the state government for always responding to the plight of displaced persons in the state, adding that the agency will continue to collaborate with NEMA and other partners in addressing IDP’s problems.

The Paramount Ruler of Abi, HRH, Solomon Osim-Edward, who responded on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the state government and NEMA for the relief materials. Osim-Edward lamented that the crisis had been on for decades, thereby appealing to the state government to find a lasting solution.