NIMASA Donates Relief Materials to IDPs in FCT

By Kasim Sumaina

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Friday in Abuja, donated relief materials to the Federal Capital Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to empower Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the FCT.

The gesture, NIMASA’s Director-General, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, disclosed would ensure the wellbeing of the IDPs while in camp.

Jamoh, represented by the Assistant Director, Seafarers Services/ILO Relations Maritime Labour Department of NIMASA, Dr Amos Kuje, noted that the agency was complementing what they (FCT) are doing particularly in meeting the needs of the IDPs that are staying within the FCT.

According to him, “We know that when you are displaced from your normal life, everything you face becomes abnormal.

“The agency, this year, thought it wise to look at the critical needs that will sustain the wellbeing of the IDPs while within the camp. We have palliatives of course and we are also looking at empowerment. We want to continuously engage them in spite of the fact that they are not in their homes.

“By engaging with the society, it will go a long way to positively impact on their state of being because anyone who is displaced faces psychological and mentally challenge among others.”

The NIMASA DG expressed confidence that the items donated would get to the persons intended and would affect them positively.

Receiving the items, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Adesola Olusade, expressed gratitude to NIMASA for reaching out to the IDPs through them and urged other agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to take a queue from the gesture.

Olusade stated: “We are here to receive various items donated to FCT by NIMASA in support of our IDPs. It’s a composite set of items consisting of basic foods, empowerment materials such as Keke Napep, welding and sewing machines, among others, as well as educational materials.

“This will address not just the immediate needs but also future needs of IDPs. With the objective of ensuring that whenever the time becomes right for them to return, they will return to their destinations with value addition, having their children trained and their basic needs.”

He stressed that many agencies have been reaching out to “support us in various ways and we appreciate them. It is not surprising that NIMASA have deemed it fit to support us and we are entirely grateful to them. We are still open to other various supports”.

According to Olusade, there are about 26 camps with IDPs and the FCT with the support of various agencies like NIMASA and they are making effort to support and cater for them.

He expressed the commitment of the FCT administration that it would do all it takes to ensure that the items and all other items meant for the IDPs get to the ultimate beneficiaries.