A total number of 300 victims of natural disasters in Ekiti State had cause to smile on Thursday as the Federal Government commenced distribution of relief materials to them.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, flagged off the distribution on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari with the assurance of more goodies from the Federal Government.
Fayemi said Buhari was concerned about the plight of victims of natural disasters like rainstorm and flood many of whom had been rendered homeless.
Relief materials distributed include bags of rice, millet, cement, corrugated iron sheets, nails, blankets, mats, clothings, asbestos, underwears, toiletries, detergents, among others.
The minister was joined in distributing the materials by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Yinusa Maihaja, Governor Ayo Fayose, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Emergency Matters, Mr. Akinwale Rasheed and General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr.
Femi Osasona.
Among the beneficiaries were the Alayegunle of Ayegunle-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Johnson Folorunso Aderiye, the roof of whose palace was recently blown off by rainstorm. The monarch was represented by Chief J.S. Oludola.
Fayemi disclosed that Buhari, who was concerned about the effects of rainstorm and flood on the people of Ekiti State ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send the relief materials for distribution to the state.
The minister explained that Buhari was ready to assist all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, ethnic background, culture, and language.
He stressed that Ekiti had received lots of assistance from the Buhari Administration since coming to power in May, 2015 including two tranches of bailout funds, Budget Support Fund for 13 months, Paris Club refund and N2 billion Ecological Funds.
Fayemi said: “What NEMA is doing here today is not the first time the Federal Government under President Buhari is coming to the rescue of our people.
“The President believes that he is the President of all Nigerians and that is why the states that had benefited most from his government are opposition states because it is Nigerians that are living and working there.
“That is the message of Mr. President, he is the President of all Nigerians regardless of race, party affiliation, race, religion, culture and language. He will always work for all Nigerians as long as they are Nigerians.”
Earlier in his remarks, NEMA DG Maihaja, noted that Ekiti was one of the states that first experienced rainstorm around February which he said was witnessed in about 27 other states.
Maihaja said climate change caused many natural disasters to victims across the country noting that natural disasters and floods can overstretch federal and state governments.
He added: “On behalf of my agency, we express our deep concern and sympathy to all the people that were affected.
“We have brought some of the materials with which we are flagging off the scheme to alleviate the suffering of the people affected.”
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