NEMA begins distribution of relief materials to flood victims in Kaduna

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced distribution of relief materials to residents affected by flood in Kaduna state.

This was after the Director General of the Agency, Engineer Mustapha Maihaja, in company of his team took a tour to affected areas including Ungwar Romi, Karatudu, Gonin-Gora and Kigo new extension among others to assess the extent of damage.

The consistent heavy downpour in the state for the past one week has led to flood submerging houses, destroying properties and displacing some residents of the state.

Disturbed by the deplorable situation of those affected by the flood, the DG directed that immediate relief materials be distributed to alleviate their sufferings.

The DG who was represented by the Director, Search and Rescue in NEMA, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu, lamented that the agency is not comfortable with the rise in water level around the state.

“We went round and saw the pathetic situation, we have also been monitoring the rise in water level and we are not too comfortable with the situation; that was why the DG despatched a high level team to assess and commence distribution of relief materials to those affected,” he said.

Items distributed include rice, corn, detergents blankets, mattresses and cement, among others.

Responding after receiving the items for onward distribution to the victims, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) Ben Kure, commended the quick response by NEMA, stating that government will soon take measures against those building along water ways.

He reiterated that adequate measures will be put in place to prevent a repeat of such occurrence as well as to reduce the level of damage to the barest minimum. Lure however appealed to people residing and erecting structures along water ways to begin to think of the next step to take to avoid a re-occurrence.

“It doesn’t make sense running away and coming back after the rainy season, I think a permanent decision should be taken because no amount of money can secure life,” he added.

He said that development control should be enforced in the state.