The Ebonyi State government has provided financial assistance and relief materials worth N100 million to victims of the recent flooding in Enohia Itim community, Afikpo Local Government Area.
The flood, which occurred between July and August, left eight people dead and destroyed homes, farmland, and valuable property running into millions of naira.
During the official distribution exercise at the Afikpo council headquarters on Wednesday, the government announced that families who lost loved ones would receive N1 million each. Victims whose crops were destroyed were allocated N500,000, while those whose houses and property were damaged were compensated with N250,000.
Alongside the financial aid, each beneficiary also received four bags of rice, two bags of garri, mattresses, and buckets as part of the relief package.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe, praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for what she described as a people-first approach to governance. She noted that the gesture was a demonstration of his “Charter of Needs” manifesto, which prioritizes welfare and quick response to the plight of citizens.
The Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Chief Timothy Nwachi, also commended the governor, stressing that this was the first time flood victims in the area were receiving such timely intervention. He recalled that a distress call had been made, and within 32 days the government had responded.
Beneficiaries who spoke to reporters, including Blessing Okoche, who lost her mother and younger sister, and Mrs. Favour Edwin, who lost her 22-year-old son, expressed gratitude to the governor. They said the assistance would help ease their pain and support them in rebuilding their lives after the disaster.