Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Victims of recent flood disaster in Bayelsa State have expressed satisfaction and gratitude to First Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. for directly sending relief items worth N170million to them.
First E&P, an indigenous oil firm which operates OML83 and OML85 in joint venture with NNPC, had identified 48 internally displaced persons camps across Bayelsa state and got their leaders get the items delivered directly to beneficiaries.
Executive Director, Global Care Rescue Mission, Princess Elizabeth Egbe, explained that the impact of the N170 million intervention was being felt across the state.
According to her, First E&P was very meticulous and provided for people living with disability who do not have the strength to struggle with able bodied persons, hence dealing directly with the victims was an effective strategy.
“If they had given these palliatives to the government, they would have been diverted, but look at the happiness on the faces of the people, over 44,000 flood victims got the items, and it is verifiable. That made all the difference.
“They got the names and telephone numbers were part of the database created by the company, so there is no way anyone can divert it, and we commend them,” Egbe said.
A beneficiary from Igbogene camp in Yenagoa, Mr. James Diebu, expressed appreciation to the oil company for the gesture.
Diebu recalled that most displaced people were also victims as criminals made away with valuables they left behind.
He said that the materials would ameliorate the sufferings faced by the people as the flood recedes.
