Essien Udim Crisis: Minister for Niger Delta Affairs donates relief materials to displaced persons
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has donated relief materials to vulnerable persons at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Senator Akpabio who was represented by Dr Patrick Umoh, Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anietie Ekong and Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Presidential Monitoring Committee on the NDDC, Mr Clement Ikpatt made the donation to the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Bishop Camillus Umoh.
Dr Umoh said the materials which consisted mostly food items were donated to the IDPs by the Minister, as part of steps to identify with displaced persons in the communities.
The Minister commended the Bishop and the Catholic Church for opening the doors of the Diocese for the displaced persons and the steps taken to cushion the effects of their displacement from their homes as a result of military bombardment of the area.
Responding the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Bishop Umoh thanked the Minister for the donation which he said had gone a long way in bringing relief to the Internally Displaced Persons. He said because of the urgent need of the displaced persons, the foodstuffs had already been distributed before the arrival of the Minister’s team.
Bishop Umoh recounted that even though the Niger Delta region had in the past experienced youth restiveness, the restiveness had not extended to the Ikot Ekpene area.
“Senator Akpabio was a Governor in Akwa Ibom State for eight years and his record is there for all to see. He should tell the people on the saddle how he managed the State to remain very peaceful throughout his tenure.
“I want to assure the Honourable Minister that the materials have been equitably distributed to those in need and the people are grateful to him and his dear wife for this kind gesture. We pray for an end to insecurity in our land and Nigeria as a whole, ” the Bishop said.
