The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has assured flood victims in the region that relief materials would get to them soon.
A statement on Thursday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr Abosede Ibitoye referred to the recent visit to the NDDC headquarters by some affected victims of communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, and stated that action was already being taken on their situtation.
The statement reads: “The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) wishes to assure victims of the flood that affected many communities in the Niger Delta region that relief materials will get to them very soon.
“The recent visit to the NDDC headquarters by some concerned persons from the affected communities in Bayelsa and Delta states, to urge the Commission to come to their aid is not necessary as action is already being taken to that effect.
“On October 27, 2022, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, accompanied by the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, visited one of the devastated areas at Ihuike Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State where he promised that there will be a comprehensive intervention to ameliorate their sufferings.
“The repair of the East-West road is ongoing and relief materials have been packaged for distribution to the affected communities in the region. The NDDC is well aware of its responsibility as an interventionist agency to provide relief materials to those affected by this unfortunate disaster.
“Working with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, we are collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other Federal Government parastatals and state governments to offer medical and infrastructural assistance to impacted communities.
“We have since commenced the distribution of essential drugs to the affected areas through the state governments. Last week, we handed over essential drugs to the Imo State Government as we prepare to reach the other affected states.
“Reaching all the affected communities is challenging, but it is a task that the NDDC must accomplish. The NDDC was created for challenges such as this and we are not relenting in the effort to ameliorate the sufferings of our people.
“We have not shirked our responsibility as an interventionist agency to cater to the needs of thousands of persons displaced by the flood, and the families of those who have lost their loved-ones.
“We appeal to stakeholders to show some understanding, as what may appear to be a delay in taking action was necessitated by logistics challenges.
“We assure all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region that our response will be comprehensive and effective. Our people need succour urgently and we will not fail them at this difficult time”.
