Date: 2020-06-22

National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has distributed relief materials to about 655 households in Kwara State affected by rainstorm. The beneficiaries, according to a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, are victims of the recent rainstorm from Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-Ero local government areas of the state. Director General of NEMA, Air Vice Marshal Muhammadu Mohammed (rtd), while presenting the items at Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun local government, noted that the pattern of rainfall in 2020 was one that was observed so far to come with storms. Mohammed, who was represented by the Head, Minna Operations Office of NEMA, Wagami Lydia, said some people in the four local government areas were unfortunately affected by rainstorm.

"The storm blew off rooftops of some houses, destroyed walls, affected food stuffs and even collapsed some buildings here. "This phenomenon attracted the attention of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to respond quickly to the plight of the affected households," he said.

Mohammed said NEMA was therefore directed by the minister, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Faruq to assess the effects of the disaster, which was done in conjunction with Kwara State Emergency Management Agency. "Thus, based on the assessment report, the federal government graciously approved relief materials to support the Kwara State government in cushioning the negative result of the disaster," he said.

"However, it is very significant for me to advice you all to please constitute mitigative measures against flood in order to prevent the re-occurence of the disaster since we are already in the rainy season," Mohammed said. The items distributed included, 665 bags of 12.5kg rice, 665 bags of 12.5kg beans, 665 bags of 12.5kg garri, 66 kegs of 20 litres vegetable oil, 33 bags of 20kg salt, 66 cartons of seasoning, and 110 cartons of tin tomato. Others were 1,300 pieces of mattresses, 1,995 pieces of mosquito nets, 1,995 pieces of blankets, 600 bags of cement, 600 bundles of roofing sheet, 75 bags of 3 inches nail, 150 packets of zinc nail and 600 pieces of ceiling board. At the occasion, the member representing Irepodun, Isin, Oke-ero and& Ekiti federal constituency at the National Assembly, Abdulrahim Ajulo thanked the federal government for always coming to the aid of his constituent, urging the beneficiaries to use the relief materials judiciously. Two of the victims, Bidemi Waheed and Williams Bola, who thanked the federal government on behalf of the affected persons, described the gesture as timely.