Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Some flood victims and vulnerable persons in Anambra State have commended the Federal Government for providing them with relief items to cushion the effect of the economic hardship in the country.
The people gave the commendation in Awka, Anambra State capital, after receiving edible and non-edible items from the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
Recall that Special National Economic and Livelihood Emergency Intervention, was introduced by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the removal of oil subsidy which caused increase in prices of goods and services across the nation.
The initiative also captured the victims of flood incidents that ravaged parts of the country in 2022 of which Anambra State was one of the worst hit.
To this end, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) between May and June this year, conducted enumeration and verification of those affected by the 2022 flood and the most vulnerable persons in the entire state.
The beneficiaries said the idea was laudable and will no doubt go a long way in reducing the level of hunger they were experiencing.
One of them, Comrade Chigozie Agulu from Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area while commending NEMA and SEMA for the seamless manner the items were distributed, noted that those who got it deserved the gesture.
Also, Mr Nnaemeka Ignatius from Ogbaru Local Government Area expressed his excitement over the non-food items distributed. He said the pumping machine and chemicals will no doubt help his farming business as the flood incident rendered them helpless.
For another Beneficiary, Mrs Comfort Udeozor, it was a laudable thing for the Federal Government to show concern for the people. She advocated that such gesture be made regular.
Mrs Christiana Ikechebelu from Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area, who got a grinding machine, remarked that it was the first time in her life to receive palliative items from the government.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Doctor Anselem Onuorah, while thanking the Federal and State governments for transparently distributing the materials to the vulnerable persons and flood victims, said it will in no small measure impact on the lives of the people.
Doctor Onuorah however noted that the level of economic hardship in the country requires that government commits to doing more to cushion the effect on the masses who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
The traditional ruler of Ebenebe, in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Christopher Nnegbuna, while commending the government for empowering the people with life saving items, encouraged the beneficiaries to utilise them to become self-reliant.
In an interview, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, encouraged the beneficiaries of the agricultural crops and non-food items like grinding, sewing and pumping machines to make valuable use of the items to meet their daily needs.
For his part, the Supervisor of the distribution exercise and Assistant Director Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr Olusegun Afolayan, said apart from the overwhelming crowd which posed challenge during the distribution, the exercise was seamless as the items no doubt got to the real victims and vulnerable persons in the state.
Mr Afolayan appealed to them not to sell the livelihood items but use it for the purpose for which it was provided by the Federal Government.
