Ocean surge in Ondo: NEMA distributes relief materials to victims

By Segun Giwa

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday distributed relief materials to the victims of Ocean surge in Ondo.

Speaking at the presentation in Akure, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, who sympathised with the victims, said the gesture was to cushion the effect of the disaster.

Represented by Mr Adesina Abogunrin, Head, Search and Rescue Unit, Ado-Ekiti Operations Office, Umar said items provided included rice, ‘garri’, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, tomato paste, vegetable oil and sanitary pads.

She advised people in flood prone areas to relocate to higher grounds as parts of preventive measures.

“The 2025 predictions by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) which have been downscaled in Ondo State have shown that Ilaje is likely to experience flooding due to high volume of rainfall and high coastal tide.

“It is therefore necessary to strictly adhere to early warning alerts that disaster preventive measures are to be integrated into the community’s action plan.

“This will help to build a resilient community and mitigate the occurrence of disasters across the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government,” Umar said.

In his address, Mr Frederick Orunko, the Executive Secretary of Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), appreciated the gesture of the Federal Government through NEMA for approving and releasing the items.

Orunko said the items would cushion the negative effects of the disasters on the affected persons.

He equally advised the people to always adhere to early warning signals issued from relevant agencies to ensure that disaster occurrences were curtailed in the state.