Flood Victims in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta council areas can now smile as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission distributed food and non food items to alleviate their plights occasioned by the 2022 Flood disaster which submerged the areas.
Investigations show that more over 15,000 homes from Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta council areas were relocated after the flood waters receded.
This humanitarian crisis forced Farmers to harvest their farm produce prematurely.
The aftermath of the disaster may likely lead to severe food shortage, hunger and starvation if nothing urgent is done.
Given the severe damage the flood caused, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is the most recent organization to provide food and non-food items to flood victims in Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, and some areas of Mbaitoli council areas in an effort to lessen the effects of flooding in the affected communities in Imo State.
Appreciating the gesture by the Commission, representatives of different groups while noting that the items are just palliatives to cushion the effect of the disaster, called for permanent solution to the disaster.
Over the years, periodic release of water from the Lagdo dam in Northern Cameroun empty’s into the tributaries of Rivers Benue and Rivers Niger causing perennial flooding of coastal states that caused untold hardship for victims.
The Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mr Gbenga Komolafe who spoke at the presentation of the items in Owerri\, said the gesture was part of its corporate social responsibility.
Represented by the Coordinator, Owerri Zone, Chief Andrew Uviovo, Komolafe urged the community leaders to distribute the items to the most vulnerable among them.
He said the gesture targeted victims of the recent flooding in some of the communities.
According to Komolafe, the commission would replicate the gesture in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and other areas affected by flood disaster in 2022.
Items donated include include 1,000 – 25kg bags of rice, 200 cartons of vegetable oil, 200 pieces of 4×6 mattress and 200 blankets.
