SARDAUNA (NEMA Report) – The National Emergency Management Agency has recovered relief materials diverted by a transporter in Gombe State and has distributed them directly to victims of the windstorm in Bangoba Community of Kakara in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State for whom they were meant.
While addressing the media in the community over the incidence, the Director – General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, who was represented by the Assistant Director of the Training Department, Iyiola Akande said that there was an attempted diversion of relief items which was successfully intercepted by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps following a tip off. He commended them for a job well done, saying the prime suspect who was the transporter is under investigation.
Muhammad Sani Sidi further noted that a committee has been constituted to investigate the attempted diversion with a charge to unravel possible internal collaboration and look out for gaps in official processing and transportation of relief items to beneficiaries to forestall future occurrence. “Whenever there is approval for relief materials to disaster victims, a notification letter containing details of quantities of the items is usually sent to the state officials for acknowledgment,’’ he said.
He urged the state officials to always cross-check items delivered to them for the benefit of disaster victims. Adding, although the relief items in the two trucks being diverted were found to be intact, the agency in accordance with its approval has decided that relief materials leaving its warehouse henceforth, would be escorted by officials to its destination.
A leader of the community, Jauro Yaya, who was also a victim of the windstorm disclosed that the story of the diversion of the relief materials meant for their community to another place was revealed to them. He thanked the Federal Government for the eventual delivery of the relief assistance, indicating that the items which included food and non-edible materials were jointly distributed with the support of community leaders as well as the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency and local government officials under the supervision of NEMA personnel.
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