Lagos, Nigeria – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has begun distributing relief materials to victims of the 2024 floods in Lagos.
The distribution exercise, which took place on Thursday, targeted affected residents in Agboyi and Itowolo communities.
108scoop.com reports that beneficiaries received essential food and non-food items, including bags of rice, garri, spaghetti, pampers, children’s clothing, bathing soap, seasoning cubes, mosquito nets, sanitary pads, towels, and guinea brocade fabric.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ibitayo Adenike, Head of Search and Rescue at NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Office, who represented the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the agency’s commitment to supporting affected communities.
“Following the October 2024 floods that devastated several communities, NEMA conducted an on-the-spot assessment to evaluate the impact. Based on our findings, approval was granted for the distribution of relief materials to support the victims,” Umar said.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for providing timely assistance to the affected communities.
Also, Mr. Bosun Olukolade, Head of Special Duties at LASEMA, who represented the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, reaffirmed the ongoing collaboration between the federal and Lagos state governments in providing relief for flood victims.
“This distribution is another significant milestone because many of the affected residents were not expecting these relief materials,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He noted that Agboyi is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its low-lying topography and its proximity to Oyan Dam, which, when opened, causes a surge in water levels.
He urged government agencies to consider the area’s flooding challenges when designing road and drainage systems.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Mr. Emmanuel Daniel, the Principal Trade Officer at the ministry, encouraged residents to properly manage waste disposal to reduce the impact of flooding.
“Keeping the environment clean is a shared responsibility. We urge you to support government efforts by disposing of waste responsibly, keeping drainages clear, and fulfilling civic duties such as tax payments to facilitate community development,” Olusanya advised.
On behalf of Oba Mosuru Oladiga of Agboyi Kingdom, Prince Abubakar Seriki expressed appreciation to NEMA and the Lagos State Government for their generosity.
“We are truly grateful for this intervention, and we assure you that these relief materials will be fairly distributed among affected community members,” Seriki said.
The event concluded with the distribution of relief materials, as beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the federal and state governments for consistently assisting in times of need.
