15th December, 2014
The Federal Government on Monday began the disbursement of N200 million promised the traders whose wares were gutted by fire in December 2013 in Rivers.
Mr Emenike Umesi, the Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Forecast of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was in Port Harcourt for the distribution of cheques to the affected traders of Woji Mile 1 market.
Umesi said that about 4,000 persons were to receive cheques for N50,000 each from the government to alleviate their sufferings caused by the Dec. 17, 2013 fire.
He noted that they lost their goods and shop worth millions of Naira to the fire, adding that the FG’s gesture was to give them a relief.
Umesi said that NEMA would ensure that every genuine beneficiary received the cheque.
“Our aim is to make sure the persons affected by the fire get the value of what the Federal Government is doing for the masses.
“We will ensure that the cheques were collected by properly identified victims,” he said.
Umesi said that the agency had started with the payment of 500 out of the affected 4,000 persons.
“We are starting with the first 500 persons and will continue the payment till the last person receives the cheque,” he said.
Mr Anthony Erondu, one of the affected traders, commended the government under the administration of President GoodLuck Jonathan, for bringing succour to them.
“I am overwhelmed with joy; I thought it was hearsay that would never come to pass, but today, I can smile because this money will go a long way to help me this season,” Erondu said.
He also commended Mrs Blessing Nsiegbe, the representative of Port Harcourt city Federal Constituency 11, for her immense effort in ensuring that she put a smile on the traders’ faces.
Mr Chibuzo Umenwa, another trader also expressed his Joy over the gesture, describing it as succour brought to traders at a time the country was facing economic challenges.
NAN reports that Woji Mile 1 market was razed by a night fire, destroying the entire goods and shops in the market but no life was lost.