Agency distributes relief materials to Lagos State flood victims

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has begun the distribution of relief materials to the 2024 flood victims in the state.

The distribution of food items and non-food items was carried out in two Lagos communities on Thursday. They are in Agboyi and Itowolo.

The materials included bags of rice, garri, packets of spaghetti, pampers, children clothes, bathing soap, maggi, mosquito nets, Guinea brocade, sanitary pads and towels.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the October 2024 flooding gave rise to the distribution of the materials.

Umar was represented by Mrs Ibitayo Adenike, the Head of Search and Rescue, NEMA Territorial Office, Lagos state.

“Following the flood that ravaged so many communities in October last year, NEMA visited various communities impacted by the flood and carried out on-the-spot assessment of the communities,” Umar said.

She said the approval for relief materials was granted after the assessment and confirmation of the impact of the flood on the communities.

Umar expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for coming to the succour of the people during the trying moment of the flood.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said both the federal and state governments have been collaborating to give succour to the people affected by flood in the state.

Oke-Osanyintolu was represented by Mr Bosun Olukolade, Head of Special Duties, LASEMA.

He said the distribution marked another landmark in the state because the communities were not expecting the items.

“Agboyi is susceptible to flooding whenever water from the Oyan Dam is released due to its topography,” he said.

He said that road construction and drainages built in the area should take cognisance of the flooding that occurs in the community.

He appealed to the residents of the community to manage their wastes properly and desist from throwing wastes into the drainage and the river.

Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, encouraged residents to ensure proper handling of their wastes.

Olusanya was represented by Mr Emmanuel Daniel, Principal Trade Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.

Olusanya urged the communities to maintain cleanliness and give back to government by paying their taxes and contributing to a cleaner environment.

Prince Abuubakar Seriki, on behalf of Oba Mosuru Oladiga of Agboyi kingdom, expressed gratitude to NEMA and the state government for the kind gesture.

Seriki pledged adequate distribution of the relief materials to the affected victims in the communities.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of the materials to the victims, who expressed gratitude to the federal government for always coming to their aid.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi