National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of communal crisis in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The agency donated the materials following the communal conflict that erupted between Usumutung, Ediba and Afafanyi communities in the local government area.
Donating the materials in Calabar, Mustapha Maihaja, director-general of NEMA, said an extensive assessment was carried out in the area, and based on recommendations the Federal Government approved the donation of relief materials to the victims.
Maihaja, who was represented by Walson Brandon, South South zonal coordinator of the agency, said the agency and the Federal Government commiserate with the victims for their losses.
“Based on recommendations, the following relief materials were approved by the Federal Government to support the victims; 600 bags of cement, 20 bags of nails, 50 packets of zinc nails and 500 pieces of ceiling board.
“Others are 40 cartons of tin tomatoes, 500 pieces of blankets, 500 pieces of wax paint, 20 cartons of detergent, 500 pieces of mosquitoes net, 10 kegs of palm oil and 10 kegs of vegetable oil. “These materials are now to be distributed directly to the affected persons by officials of the agency’s zonal office in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA),’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Cross River state governor, Ben Ayade has warmed warring communities in the state to sheath their swords or face the wrath of government.
The governor described as unacceptable the renewed hostilities in Abi Local Government Area. The warning is contained in a release signed by Christian Ita, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.
It quoted the governor as lamenting the renewed hostilities between Usumutong and Ebom communities in the local government area.
“It is heart-rending to note that at a time government is working on consolidating the prevailing peace in Cross River, some communities have chosen to go back to the trenches,” Ayade rued.
The release further quoted Ayade as asking the warring communities to tow the path of peace by ceasing hostilities.
“While security personnel have been mobilized to the troubled communities to de-escalate the crisis, I hereby call on the warring sides to halt every act of aggression.
“Government will not view with kindness further lose of lives and properties occasioned by avoidable communal crisis anywhere in the state,” the governor warned.
