Lagos State flood victims get relief materials

Lagos State flood victims get relief materials
Abdul Semiu Babalola, Lagos

Victims of the recent flooding in Lagos State have received relief materials worth over five million Naira form the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

While handing-over the relief materials to the victims through the state governments, at the state secretariat Alausa in Ikeja, NEMA’s Director of Finance, Mr Hakeem Akinbola, said the donation was the Federal Government’s assistance to the victims of the recent flood in the state.

In his words; “this gesture from the Federal Government is not intended as compensation for loss of lives and property but is aimed at complementing the state government’s effort in ameliorating the pains of the victims”.

Mr Akinbola, reiterated the readiness of the organization to provide necessary advocacy and assistance to Nigerians and states in times of disaster, such that the effects would be minimal if they occur.

Flood mishap

On Sunday July 10th, 2011, a heavy down pour that lasted for about 15 hours left most part of the commercial city flooded with some deaths recorded.

Thousands of people were also rendered homeless and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the flood that followed the heavy rain.

The agency came to Lagos on Monday July 11, 2011 for on the-spot assessment of the destruction done to houses, schools, bridges and roads.

“As a people we also have responsibilities to protect our environment and shall guide against attitudes that will disturb the movement of water such as dumping of refuse in the drainage and building homes on the flood pains,” Akinbola noted.

Materials

The relief materials include 1200 bags of cement, 600 bags of rice, 2500 pieces of blankets, 2500 pieces of towels and 1,000 pieces of nylons mats. Others include 2000 pieces of wax prints, 2 bales of used clothes, 500 pieces of mattresses, 70 kegs of vegetables oil, 150 kegs of palm oil, 150 cartons of detergent, 20 cartons of bath soap and 100 cartons of 3-in-1 tea.

Responding to the gesture from the agency, the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Wale Ahmed thanked the Federal Government for the donation.

He however, urged the Nigerian government to assist in solving the flood problem in the state.

“We appreciate the token giving to us. I refer to it as token because it cannot solve one of the twenty local Governments Areas and thirty seven Local Council Development Areas’ problems,” Mr. Ahmed said.

He urged the Federal Government to assist in the channelization of drainages in the state.

Williams