NEMA Conducts Post-Disaster Assessment Of Windstorm Incident In Abakaliki
…Traders Appeal For Government Support
A joint assessment team from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Operations Office, and the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) conducted an on-the-spot evaluation of the damage caused by a recent windstorm at the Integrated Building Material Market in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
A post made via the agency’s X page on Wednesday states that the team, led by Mr Okolo Kingsley of NEMA, visited the market on Tuesday to assess the extent of destruction and determine the immediate humanitarian needs of affected traders.
The visit followed a devastating windstorm that swept through the market on Monday, May 26, and destroyed people’s means of livelihood.
The team said upon arrival, they were received by the market chairman, Mr. Onwe Fidelis, who conducted them through the damaged sections of the market.
According to the post, several shops and business premises were affected, with goods and building materials worth millions of naira destroyed.
Mr. Fidelis, while speaking to the assessment team, appeal for swift intervention from both the Federal and State Governments.
He noted that the incident had left many traders counting significant losses and struggling to recover.
“We are appealing for urgent assistance to cushion the impact of this unfortunate disaster. Many of our members have lost their entire livelihoods,” he said.
Kingsley conveyed the Federal Government’s sympathy to the Ebonyi State Government and victims of the disaster.
He also used the opportunity to sensitize traders on safety precautions, and urged them to switch off electrical appliances at the close of business and to ensure that fire extinguishers are available and functional within the market premises.
Preliminary findings from the joint assessment indicate that numerous shops were either partially or completely destroyed by the windstorm.
The team noted that despite the extent of property loss, no casualties were reported.
It is expected to compile and submit a comprehensive report to guide further relief and recovery efforts.
NEMA Conducts Post-Disaster Assessment Of Windstorm Incident In Abakaliki is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
