After extensive assessment of the weekend flood that devastated communities in six local government areas of Plateau State, the National Emergency Management Agency has distributed relief assistance to more than 10,000 persons displaced by the disaster in Shendam, Wase, Mikang, Kanam, Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas of the state.
NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Edward Maigida, who led the team on behalf of the Director General in distributing the relief material in all the affected council areas, also conveyed the sympathy of the Federal Government to the affected persons.
Maigida said the items were delivered to provide quick relief based on the rapid assessment of the situation, while further assistance may be considered after detailed assessment.
He said NEMA had immediately responded to the situation in line with its commitment to promote and ensure efficient and effective disaster management in the country.
Maigida also said that the early warning alerts given about possible floods in some identified states, including Plateau, was real and therefore communities living in the high risk areas should relocate temporarily to safer locations for avoidable losses of lives and property in the remaining period of the rain season.
In Shendam Local Government Area, the council Chairman, Nicholas Kemi, who received the items on behalf of the affected persons, said about 65 communities were affected.
Kemi thanked the Federal Government for the kind gesture.
Also speaking, the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Muhammadu Haruna, who received the NEMA team in his palace, commended the agency for the timely response in the delivery of the relief assistance.
It is recalled that the flood had resulted in the loss of at least five lives, submerged homes in many communities while the waters have washed away several bridges that link the local government areas.
The items distributed were assorted food materials, including bags of rice, millets, grains and tea items.
Others were treated mosquito nets, blankets, clothing, mattresses, buckets, nylon mats, cups and spoons.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had recently alerted of likely high rain that could result in floods in some states including Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa.