NASEMA distributes relief materials to disaster, banditry victims

DG of NASEMA, Benjamin Akwash presenting the relief materials to the beneficiaries in Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State on Monday....Photo Credit: NASEMA

The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of various disasters in three Local Government Areas of the state.

The beneficiaries were affected by bandit attacks, communal and land clashes, floods, fires and other emergencies in Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon LGAs.

Our correspondent, who was at the distribution venue, reports that the relief items included bags of rice and beans, cartons of pasta, gallons of vegetable oil, mats, blankets, salt and other essential goods.

Speaking during the distribution exercise at the Chun Mada Palace in Akwanga LGA on Monday, the Director-General of NASEMA, Benjamin Akwash, said the intervention was to cushion the hardship faced by those affected.

He explained that the National Emergency Management Agency, North-Central Zonal Office, facilitated the relief on behalf of the Federal Government.

“A few months ago, we were in receipt of reports of gunmen attacks, land disputes, and farmers-herders clashes within the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

“The government of Nigeria, presently headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ​being very caring, being very compassionate, through the National Emergency Management Agency, have deemed it fit and proper to send these relief items ​to serve as succour to lessen the effect to which these calamities have reduced ​the victims. So these items are meant as a reminder to us of government’s responsibility,” he said.

The DG noted that the constitutional responsibility of government was that of protection of lives and properties, the maintenance of law and order, and more importantly, ​the enhancement of the welfare and security of the populace.

“Disasters that included flooding, kidnapping, bandit attacks, communal and land clashes and others happened in these three LGAs of Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon, where properties were lost.

“On that basis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that support be given to the victims to reduce their suffering. He sent these materials through NEMA to our state NASEMA, and we are now presenting them to you,” he explained.

Akwash further used the opportunity to commend Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for his consistent support to the needy across the state, while urging the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously.

Also speaking, the North-Central Zonal Representative of NEMA, Audu Yohanna, said the Federal Government under Tinubu condemned the attacks immediately and released the relief materials for distribution to those in need.

He appealed to those who did not benefit this time to be patient, noting that more support would be provided.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Akwanga LGA, Safiyanu Isah Andaha, who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Basau Ibrahim Shauibu, commended NEMA and NASEMA for the gesture.

He pledged the council’s full support to enable the agencies to achieve their mandate.

Offering prayers at the event, the Chun-Mada, His Royal Highness Samson Gamuyare, praised NEMA and NASEMA for remembering people who were caught in disasters “they neither saw coming nor caused.”

He further urged both agencies not to wait until disaster strikes before assisting citizens.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent expressed gratitude to the agencies for remembering them in their time of need and promised to use the items appropriately.