The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, has described the distribution of relief materials to victims of natural disasters as a vital lifeline that helps ease hardship and restore hope.
Adelami, represented by his Administrative Secretary, Mr Fredrick Orunko, stated this during the distribution of relief items to affected communities in Akure South and Akure North Local Government Areas.
He said the intervention reflects the state government’s commitment to the welfare of residents, especially in times of distress, noting that timely support remains both a moral duty and a key responsibility of any responsive administration.
According to him, the initiative highlights the government’s proactive approach to disaster management and its resolve to ensure that no citizen is left behind during emergencies.
The Deputy Governor commended emergency response agencies for their swift coordination, explaining that the intervention followed recent incidents of flooding, rainstorms and fire outbreaks across parts of the state.
He added that the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) conducted immediate assessments, which paved the way for collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja, leading to the provision of relief materials such as rice, beans, vegetable oil and other essentials.
Adelami further disclosed that the government has begun stockpiling food and non-food items—including roofing materials, cement and mattresses—in preparation for the rainy season.
He also noted ongoing sensitisation campaigns in flood-prone communities such as Eyinala, Adesupa, Elegmin, Aule, Odokoyi and Ala, in partnership with relevant ministries.
The Deputy Governor urged residents to avoid dumping refuse in gutters and waterways, warning that such practices worsen flooding, while also advising developers to comply with building regulations, particularly on waterway setbacks.
In his remarks, NEMA’s Chief Search and Rescue Officer in Akure, Mr Abogunrin Adesina, said the intervention was based on assessments carried out between December and January, stressing that disaster management requires collective responsibility.
A beneficiary, Mrs Remi Daramola, expressed appreciation to the government, describing the support as timely, noting that it would help ease household expenses and support recovery from losses caused by flooding.