By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed relief materials to victims of the recent gas explosion on Edibe Edibe Road in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The distribution exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
A total of 300 bags each of rice, beans and garri, all weighing 25 kilograms, were distributed to identified victims. Other relief items included 50 cartons each of seasoning cubes, vegetable oil, tomato paste and detergent.
Speaking during the exercise in Calabar on Tuesday, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by Mrs. Aisueni Mmandu, Head of Operations, NEMA Uyo Operations Office, decried the increasing number of gas stations located within residential areas.
She said many man-made disasters could be avoided if safety regulations were strictly enforced and violators adequately sanctioned.
“It is wrong for a gas station to operate within a residential area without adequate firefighting equipment,” she said.
Umar called for tougher sanctions against individuals and organisations that violate safety standards, urging relevant authorities to prosecute offenders and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent avoidable disasters.
She also stressed the need for sustained public sensitisation on the safe handling of gas cylinders, electrical appliances and other combustible materials.
According to her, support for landlords whose buildings were damaged in the explosion would also be considered under rehabilitation interventions.
The NEMA boss admitted that the distribution process experienced delays due to discrepancies in beneficiaries’ names and phone numbers, adding that the agency would review its strategy and introduce vouchers to ensure smoother future distributions.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SEMA, Mr. Antigha Gill, described the intervention as part of routine emergency support for disaster victims.
Gill said the agency had intensified public enlightenment campaigns against fire outbreaks caused by negligence and poor safety culture, advising residents to switch off electrical appliances before leaving home and properly secure gas cylinders.
“Most residential fires are caused by carelessness and electrical sparks,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Efiom Ekpenyong, a person living with disability, commended the Federal Government and emergency agencies for the intervention, saying the relief materials would go a long way in supporting victims.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Sadiq Basu, also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to affected families.
