By Sunny A. David, Onitsha
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has distributed relief materials to residents affected by this year’s flooding in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State
The intervention, facilitated by Ogene, was aimed at providing assistance to victims whose homes, farms and household properties were destroyed by the flood disaster
The relief materials comprised 400 bags of 25kg rice, 400 bags of 25kg beans, 200 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of vegetable oil and 50 cartons of Maggi cubes.
The beneficiary communities include Ossamala, Obeagwe, Akili-Ogidi, Ogwuikpele, Ogwuanocha and Umunankwo.
The distribution exercise was officially flagged off on Saturday at Iyiowa-Odekpe by the Head of Operations, NEMA Enugu Zonal Office, Mrs Pricilia Madukwe, alongside an official of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Coordinator of the State and Ogbaru Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Hon. Nnamdi Esimai.
Speaking during the event, Madukwe explained that the Federal Government approved the relief materials following a distress report submitted by Ogene, who drew attention to the plight of his constituents affected by the flooding.
She disclosed that after receiving the report, NEMA officials visited the affected communities to assess the level of destruction. The agency subsequently submitted its findings, which led to the Federal Government’s approval of the relief intervention.
Madukwe also commended Ogene for his efforts in facilitating the assistance, revealing that the lawmaker personally sponsored the transportation of the relief items from Enugu to Ogbaru.
Among the beneficiaries who received the items during the flag-off ceremony were a nursing mother, Mrs Nwakonobi Favour, and a physically challenged resident, Mr Oliver Ozoma.
Expressing gratitude, Favour said her house was completely submerged during the flooding, resulting in the destruction of her household belongings.
Similarly, Ozoma disclosed that the disaster affected both his residence and farmland, destroying his crops, including yam, cassava and potatoes.
Other beneficiaries, including Mr Oliver Inuchukwu and Uchechukwu Igwe, both from Ogwuikpele community, praised the Federal Government and Ogene for coming to their aid.
Inuchukwu recalled that the lawmaker had previously facilitated similar NEMA assistance to the community, describing the latest intervention as another demonstration of his commitment to the welfare of his constituents.
He also expressed optimism that Ogene would secure another term in the House of Representatives in 2027.
Addressing community leaders, Ogene urged them to ensure that the relief materials were distributed fairly among all affected residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.
He stressed that the intervention was strictly humanitarian and should not be politicised.
The lawmaker further encouraged the community leaders to adopt their established sharing arrangements to ensure that every deserving household benefited from the assistance.
He reiterated that the relief materials were intended to ease the hardship faced by flood victims and urged those entrusted with their distribution to ensure transparency and fairness.
