National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to four communities in Abakaliki local government area of Ebonyi State, which were affected by the protracted communal crises between them and their neighbours in Cross River State.
The communities included Enyigba, Amachi, Edda, and Ndiegu Okpuitumo. They received the items at Offia-Oji (Nwori) in the Ndiegu Okpuitumo community.
The items, which include 300 bags of 25kg rice, 250 bags of garri, 300 cartons of spaghetti, 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 30 cartons of sachet tomatoes, and 30 cartons of seasoning cubes, were attracted by the member representing Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Emmanuel Uguru.
Speaking during the distribution, Hon. Uguru described the unfortunate crisis as tragic, adding that it has negatively impacted the people’s lives.
“The tragic experiences of the victims have been so devastating. The crisis claimed many lives and valuable properties. I want to use this opportunity to pledge my continued quality representation to the people.”
Hon Uguru maintained that efforts have been made to adjust the communal boundaries to forestall future hostilities and urged the people to sustain the existing peace in the area and continue to support the present administration for more democratic dividends.
The NEMA South East zonal coordinator, Mrs Ngozi Echiazu, empathised with the affected communities and explained that the relief materials were intended to cushion the effects of the crisis.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to providing the needed assistance to communities in need.
The Traditional Ruler of the Ndiegu Okpuitumo community, Eze Pius Nwangele, commended NEMA, Hon. Uguru, and other stakeholders who facilitated the intervention and assured that the materials would be distributed judiciously to the intended beneficiaries.
The chairman of Abakaliki LGA, Hon. Stephen Nwogba, who represented Governor Francis Nwifuru, also commended NEMA for its swift response in alleviating the people’s sufferings.
He stressed the urgent need for the federal government to address the boundary issues between Ebonyi and Cross River States to ensure lasting peace.
Hon. Nwogba also lauded Governor Nwifuru’s peaceful disposition and urged the people to avoid actions or utterances capable of undermining the peace among the four communities of Abakaliki LGA and their neighbouring communities of Cross Rivers State.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that grassroots communities get their fair share of government benefits and encouraged continuous support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for sustained development.
