The Akwa Ibom State Government has handed over food and non-food relief materials to Uyo, Itu, Abak and Uruan Local Government Areas for distribution to residents affected by recent flooding incidents, in a renewed effort to cushion the impact of the natural disaster on affected communities.
The palliatives which include 25kg bags of rice, beans, maize, noodles, wrappers, salt, sugar, vegetable oil and toiletries, were handed over on behalf of the State Government by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga.
Speaking during the handover exercise, Princess Ibanga said the intervention, undertaken in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reflected the commitment of the administration of Governor Umo Eno to the welfare and wellbeing of residents, particularly those facing hardship arising from natural disasters.
“We are here to hand over these palliatives on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of our partners donating food and non-food items for flood victims”.
“We are aware that some residents of these areas were affected by flooding. This is a natural disaster that nobody prays for, but when it happens, government has a responsibility to reach out to the affected people and provide the necessary support,” she said.
The Commissioner urged the benefiting councils to ensure that the relief materials reached the intended beneficiaries, particularly residents whose livelihoods and household resources had been affected by the flooding.
Receiving the items on behalf of the benefiting local government areas, the respective council officials expressed appreciation to the State Government for the timely intervention and commended Governor Eno for demonstrating concern for the welfare of flood victims.
The Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, represented by the Secretary of Council, Dr. Ubong Udofia; the Chairman of Itu Local Government Area, Hon. Ubong Nkutt, represented by Mr. Imo Okon; the Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Lady Ime Charles, represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mfon Udo Udom; and the Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Grace Edem, gave assurances that the items would be distributed to the appropriate beneficiaries.
They also pledged their continued support for the administration of Governor Eno, describing the intervention as a demonstration of responsive governance and a practical expression of solidarity with residents affected by the disaster.
In Abak, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, who was present at the Local Government Secretariat during the handover exercise, commended Governor Eno for extending the State Government’s intervention to flood victims in the area.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs was accompanied by the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim.