“We know and understand the circumstances of our people and we feel their pains”.

The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has re-emphasized that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, dwelling in camps across the country constitute an integral part of the citizenry and must be catered for because they are not the cause(s) of the pains and sufferings which they have been subjected to by natural forces.

All well-meaning people of Nigeria, the organized private sector and groups have therefore been enjoined to support and complement government’s efforts towards alleviating the suffering of persons affected by the recent floods and other natural disasters across the country.

Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai made the appeal while receiving relief materials from the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at Government House, Kaduna, in continuation of the donation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country by NIMASA.

The Governor, while thanking NIMASA for the gesture, expressed his worries on the plight of IDPs in the state and the challenge of meeting their welfare needs.

In El-Rufai’s words “We appreciate this act of magnanimity by NIMASA. Kaduna State has a total number of over 11,000 internally displaced persons who are in different IDP camps spread all over the state and these materials came at the right time. There will be prudence, transparency and accountability in the management of the distribution of the donated items to the IDPs. This is a commendable act and we will continue to ensure the welfare and security of our people. And so, we call on other corporate institutions as well as individual philanthropists to emulate NIMASA,” the governor said.

The NIMASA Director General, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, stated that the gesture was in continuation of NIMASA’s nationwide donation of assorted relief materials to states affected by natural disasters, particularly the recent flood disaster that submerged some parts of the country, including Kaduna State.

While presenting the materials to the governor, the Director General stressed that NIMASA shall continue to pursue the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians and the economy as a whole.

According to Dakuku “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is here today in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility disposition. We are conscious of the situation of the internally displaced persons in the country, and so we are here with a message of hope. We are not here to lament, but to felicitate with you and at the same time encourage you to remain hopeful and steadfast in the face of this challenge. NIMASA, as a socially responsible institution, will continue to support efforts geared towards improving the lives of Nigerians to make them live meaningfully in our society,”

The donation by NIMASA is in response to calls by the Federal Government on philanthropic and non-governmental organisations to partner with government to adequately cater for the needs of Nigerians who are affected by one form of disaster or another.

NIMASA disclosed that it is obedience to the call that the Management of NIMASA embarked on the provision of relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons across 20 states of the federation across the Six Geo-political Zones.

In Cross River State, the Director General of NIMASA who was represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Data Services Department (PRDMS), Mrs. Moronke Thomas, presented some relief materials to the Internally Displaced persons in Cross River State, as part of its nation-wide donation of diverse forms of relief materials to people displaced as a result of the 2018 flood disaster that submerged some parts of the State.

Dakuku told the beneficiaries that the Agency would always support the Federal Government’s drive in advancing gestures that impact lives positively and meaningfully in the country.

In his words “NIMASA is a socially responsible organization, though our core mandates are principally to regulate and promote shipping as well as other associated maritime ventures in Nigeria, we are acutely aware, and also conscious of the plights of natural disaster victims like you. We are with you and we share your sufferings. We are here in realization of the fact that an injury to you is an injury to us, and by extension, an injury to Nigeria. And so, NIMASA as a responsible corporate entity will continue to support the Federal Government efforts in ameliorating your sufferings and challenges”, the DG said.

Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor and acting Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Princewill Ayim commended NIMASA for the initiative. Ayim stated that the State government was doing its best on welfare and security of the IDPs. He thanked NIMASA for the gesture and called on other public-spirited institutions and individuals to emulate such magnanimity.

 According to Ayim “We note and understand the circumstances of our people and we feel their pains. We perfectly know their needs and we are doing everything as a State to make life meaningful for them. We call on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate institutions to emulate NIMASA. We appreciate and commend them and it is our promise that this gesture has been received in the spirit in which it is given”, Mr. Ayim said.

Leader of the Bakassi IDP Camp, Mr. Etim Ene, who was present during the presentation of the items thanked NIMASA for the items donated. He disclosed that the Camp was still lacking basic amenities such as portable water and healthcare services.