Adamawa Flood

By Matthew Onah

“It would amount to a curse for any functionary to divert any relief materials meant for the victims of the flood disaster currently ravaging Adamawa and other parts of the country.”

The Adamawa State Deputy Governor and chairman of the state emergency relief agency (ASEMA) Barrister James Bala Ngillari, gave this warning while receiving some relief materials from officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), North-east zone on Thursday evening.

Speaking against the background of speculations that relief materials meant for victims of  ongoing flood disaster ravaging Adamawa and other parts of the country  were  allegedly  being diverted to the open market for sale to the general public, by some persons, suspected to be NEMA officials.

Ngillari said it would amount to acts of inhumanity for any official no matter the status to seek to take advantage of the hapless victims of the disaster for self aggrandizement.

He said the victims should be assisted not only by the government as being done now but by the entire society, adding that attempting to deprive them of the little succour, through diversion of materials, is not only devilish in thought and conception, but it is something that will attract punishment from God

“In fact it is a curse any official that does such a wicked thing attracts a curse on himself, so beware,” he said.

He warned officials charged with the procurement and distribution of relief materials to victims of natural or man-made disasters, to resist temptations of tampering with such materials by remaining above board at all times, as they engage in the humanitarian work.

Assuring that adequate measures have being put in place to ensure proper  and even distribution of the relief materials, to those that actually need it,   Ngillari  appealed to the media to closely monitor the issue of relief materials , through adequate and factual reportage in order for them  to achieve the required objectives.

“Let me appeal to our friends in the media to closely monitor the distribution to ensure compliance with rules and regulation, fairness and equity, as my officials and  I cannot be at all places at the same time.’’

The relief materials brought included blankets, clothing, and foodstuff.