Victims of flooding and other vulnerable persons in Anambra state have praised the Federal government over the distribution of relief items to cushion effects of economic hardship in the country.
The victims made the commendation in Awka after receiving edible and non edible items from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
The Special National Economic and Livelihood Emergency Intervention, was introduced by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of the removal of oil subsidy which caused increase in all goods and services across the nation.
The initiative also captured the victims of flood incident that ravaged parts of the country in 2022 of which Anambra State was one of the worst hit.
To this end, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, between May and June this year, conducted enumeration and verification of those affected by the 2022 flood and the most vulnerable persons in the entire state.
A beneficiary of the distribution, Mr Luke Oraekie from Urum, Awka North local government area, described the idea as laudable which would go a long way in reducing level of hunger they were experiencing.
A stakeholder, Comrade Chigozie Agulu from Awkuzu in Oyi local government area while commending NEMA and SEMA for the seamless manner the items were distributed, noted that those who got it deserved the gesture.
Expressing excitement over the nonà food items distributed, Mr Nnaemeka Ignatius from Ogbaru local government area said the pumping machine and chemicals would assist his farming business as the flood incident rendered them helpless.
For another beneficiary, Mrs Comfort Udeozor commended Federal Government for showing concern for the people, canvassing for regular observance of the gesture.
Mrs Christiana Ikechebelu from Mbaukwu in Awka South local government area, who got a grinding machine said it was the first time in her life to receive palliative items from government.
On his part, Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East local government area, Dr. Anselem Onuorah thanked both federal and state governments for transparently in the distribution of the materials to the vulnerable persons and flood victims.
He said the gesture would in no small measure, impact positively on the lives of the people.
Onuorah however noted that the level of economic hardship in the country requires that government commits to doing more to cushion the effect on the masses who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Traditional ruler of Ebenebe, in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Christopher Nnegbuna, commended the government for empowering the people with life saving items, encouraging the beneficiaries to utilize them to become self-reliant.
Earlier, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo encouraged beneficiaries of the agricultural crops and non food items like grinding, sewing and pumping machines to make valuable use of the items to meet their daily needs.
Supervisor of the distribution exercise and Assistant Director Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr Olusegun Afolayan said aside the overwhelming crowd which posed challenge during the distribution, the exercise was seamless.
