By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed food and other items to victims of markets fire incidents at Ikom and Ogoja in Cross River.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire incidents that occurred four days apart destroyed properties and goods worth millions of naira.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director General, NEMA, through her representative, Mrs Mmandu Aisueni, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Uyo, made the distribution to both affected Local Government Areas separately.

Umar expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families, saying that the items were meant to cushion the effect of the incidents on the victims.

She said that it was a thing of joy that no life was lost in the two fire incidents, noting that it was regrettable that several shops and goods were burnt in the inferno.

“At this critical time, we sincerely do understand your pains and frustration as a result of the fire incidents, let’s all endeavour to keep hope alive while we are still alive.

“We deemed it necessary to come to visit you with some relief items to ameliorate the impact of this disaster that has befallen us in this trying times.

“As stated, these items are not meant to replace whatever loss you must have suffered in the inferno but serve as a temporary relief to enable us forge ahead,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Antigha Gil, Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that the state government commended NEMA for the distribution of the relief items.

He noted that the government had written to NEMA on the need to come to the assistance of the Ikom and Ogoja markets fire victims, and described the distribution as timely and beneficial.

“When the incidents occurred, I personally visited the two markets and carried out an assessment of the situation after which I wrote to NEMA about it.

“What you are seeing today is in response to our message and I can tell you that the distribution was perfectly done in the presence of security agencies.

“The state is also looking towards doing the same thing soonest as all the victims have been profiled and properly identified,” he stated.

Some of the victims, Nnamdi Okonkwo and John Dickson, appreciated NEMA and SEMA for remembering them and finding ways to make their lives better.

NAN reports that among the items distributed were 300 bags of rice, garri, tomatoe paste, and seasoning. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Jane-Frances Oraka