From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Federal Government is through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), distributing relief materials to over 7,000 flood victims in Abia State.
Coordinator of Abia SEMA, Dr. Sunny Jackson disclosed this while distributing some of the relief materials to victims of the flood disaster from Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Dr. Jackson said the distribution of the special emergency relief materials donated by the Federal Government was to mitigate the effect on victims of flood-ravaged areas in 15 local government areas of the state.
Jackson said in 2020, Abia State benefitted from the federal government largess to the tune of over 3,000 persons, but expressed delight that in 2023, the state received over 7,000 slots from the federal government.
The SEMA coordinator gave Governor Otti kudos for providing the enabling environment which made the distribution exercise in the state seamless.
Speaking at the presentation of the items in Umuahia, Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof (Mrs) Monica Ironkwe commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for donating the materials to victims of the flood disaster.
Prof Ironkwe said but for the removal of the fuel subsidy, Tinubu has done well as president and expressed optimism he would return the fuel subsidy.
The Agriculture Commissioner urged women in the state to be up and doing as to be able to assist their husbands in taking care of their homes, stressing that gone were the days when men alone were allowed to shoulder all family responsibilities.
She called on the beneficiaries to make optimal use of the items given them, to enhance their living standard.
Some of the beneficiaries commended the Federal Government for making the donations. Some of the items donated include, sewing machines, grinding machines, mattresses and several edible items.