Edith CHUKU
The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, has explained why the distribution of palliatives to victims of the 2022 flood disaster was flagged off in 2024.
Representative of Delta State on the NDDC Governing Board, Rt.Hon. Monday Igbuya, gave this explanation when he flagged off the palliatives’ distribution to communities across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony at the Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Igbuya said, “you remember the flood happened in 2022 and as you know President Bola Tinubu was not in office then, so were the NDDC Board and Management. But, when the issue came up, the graciously approved this relief operation.”
He explained that although the flood occurred in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster.
Igbuya maintained that the NDDC was committed to programmes that would affect the people positively, emphasizing that the board was engaging in activities that truly reflect the people’s needs and mandate of the board.
According to him, “the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, found it necessary to implement the decision to distribute previously approved palliative items to communities across Delta State.”
This, he said was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood disaster in the state, considering the current economic difficulties in the country.
Truckloads of items distributed include bags of rice, bags of beans, mattresses, vegetable oil, noodles, toiletries, tomato paste, boats, cassava milling machines, sewing and grinding machines, salt, among other relief materials.
The community leaderships across the 25 local governments of the State, including women and youth groups received the items on behalf of their people.
Speaking at the event, Onoriode Ogodo of Sapele-Okpe community, thanked the NDDC for the palliatives, noting that, “The items will go a long way in supporting those who lost homes and means of livelihoods during the flood.”
Also, the President-General of Elume community, Mr. Felix Emuobo, explained that, “With the materials in the right hands, we can rebuild and support our people through these difficult times. I commend the NDDC for their effort towards bringing relief to us”.
