From Saka Bolaji, Minna
The Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) yesterday distributed relief materials and cash worth N28 million to the victims of a tanker explosion where 18 people lost their lives in Tegina, Rafi local government of the state.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, in an interview at Tegina after the distribution of the relief materials said that it was an intervention to cushion the effect of the accidents on the victims.
Governor Bello stated that each of the 18 deceased families received N500,000 each while the five injured went home with N250,000. The sum of N2 million was set aside for landlords and property owners who lost such properties considering the degree of their lost during the incident.
Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarebi, the governor noted that the items purchased for distribution included building materials like 600 bags of cement,100 bundles of zinc and different categories of nails.
Others were 100 bags of rice, 200 rappers, 40 Jerry cans of 20 litres of oil, 40 carton of Maggi and 40 bags of salt.
Director General of NSEMA, Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, however urged the judicious use of the relief materials and financial assistance by all recepients.
Inga explained that a token would be given to building material beneficiaries to enable them put up their houses quickly while he commended Governor Sani Bello for his timely intervention.
A beneficiary, Hassan Muhammad, applauded the state government and NSEMA for their concern, sympathy and kind gesture. However, he said: “I feel sad as I receive N1million for my two relatives who were victims because I would have prefer them alive”.
Rafi local government chairman, Gambo Tanko Kagara and the district head in separate interviews appreciated the state government humanitarian gesture while charging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials and funds given to them.
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