The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday distributed relief materials to 300 flood victims in Calabar Municipality and Odukpani Local Government Areas of Cross River.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, represented by Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, Head of Operations of the Uyo Office, disclosed this during the exercise to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
While distributing the materials to the 2025 flood victims, the DG urged the residents to strictly adhere to weather forecasts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to reduce the impact of flooding.
She said environmental negligence contributes significantly to the severity of flooding, adding that residents must keep their surroundings clean, dispose waste properly and act promptly once rainfall predictions are released.
The DG explained that NEMA, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross, and community stakeholders, had conducted a needs assessment before distributing the items.
“300 relief packs were shared which included items such as 25 kilogram bags of rice, spaghetti, salt, seasoning cubes among others,
“Although the number of victims exceeded the supplies available, the community leaders helped ensure fairness by identifying at least five beneficiaries from each community, while only verified names were included on the final list,” she said.
Mr Bassey Akiba, Member Representing Calabar Municipal and Odukpani Federal Constituency, said the supplies were part of Federal Government support for victims affected by the 2025 floods.
He said over 2,000 persons were affected in his constituency, adding that additional relief materials would be shared when more supplies are made available.
Akiba noted that the beneficiary list was compiled by the local government authorities in collaboration with community leaders.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Offiong Eyo from Odukpani, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the lawmaker, saying it was his first time of receiving such assistance.
NAN recalls that NEMA carried out a similar distribution exercise in Akamkpa Local Government Area a few months ago.
