The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has handed over relief materials to community leaders in Akwa Ibom State for distribution to victims of the recent flood that affected many people across the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the ceremony at the 26 Squadron Police Force, MOPOL Base, in Uyo, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ameliorate the challenges facing the people of the oil-rich region.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, represented by the Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, said that the Commission would not relent in its efforts to fast track development, as well as improve the livelihood of the people.
He stated: “It is in the spirit and vision of ameliorating the plight of our people, following the ravages of the flood and support in the good works of the relevant agencies and State Governments in the region in providing some succour to the flood ravaged needy people, that this ceremony is being conducted.”
Audu-Ohwavborua declared that the NDDC would soon restart its flagship programme for free medical outreaches to various communities in the Niger Delta region, noting: “This will bring critical life-saving healthcare services nearer to the in under-served communities across the Niger Delta Region, especially at this time when flood has disrupted healthcare systems and infrastructure with potential for epidemics like Cholera.”
Speaking further, the NDDC boss noted that the Commission proactively commenced necessary interventions in Akwa Ibom State with the procurement of essential drugs and the donation of a set each of brand-new ambulances,100 KVA generating sets, Toyota Hilux vehicles, Ultrasound scan machines and X-Ray machines to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital, Ammamong, Okobo Local Government Area.
In his address, the Director of NDDC Akwa Ibom State Office, Elder Obot Udoette, noted that the flood negatively impacted lives in Akwa Ibom State, stating: “This intervention will take place in all the NDDC mandate states because the Commission was set up to address situations such as this.”
He urged the community leaders to ensure a judicious and fare distribution of the relief materials, underlining the importance of letting the items to get to those affected by the flood.
Responding on behalf of communities affected by flooding in Akwa Ibom State, the
Clan Head of Ekid Offiong Community in Esit Eket Local Government Area, Chief Ñsoduok Etteado Ikot said: “We are delighted by this gesture from the NDDC. I thank the NDDC State Director for bringing the challenges of the flood disaster in the state to the fore. We, the recipients of this palliative are grateful for it and I assure you that it will be fairly distributed.”
In her remarks, the Vice Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Hon. Sylvia Ekong, thanked the NDDC for the relief materials, assuring that they would be delivered to the genuine flood victims
