BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—THE Federal Government has promised to provide financial assistance to victims of the recent flood disaster in Igarra community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, in which six persons died.

Assistant Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Godwin Tepikor, made the disclosure during an on-the-spot assessment of the area by the senator representing Edo North senatorial district, Senator Domingo Obende and Mr Peter Akpatason, a member of the House of Representatives.

Tepikor, who expressed shock after going round the affected site, assured the people of government’s assistance, saying: “It is a natural disaster and when you say natural disaster, it is not within the control of human beings. It has happened and that is why we are here as an intervention agency to see for ourselves and do an on-the-spot assessment and report back to the government. As soon as we are through with the paper work, government will assist to assuage the sufferings of the people.”

On his part, Senator Obende assured the people of support from government, saying: “We have been able to collate records from those who lost houses and at the end of the day, we are going to ensure that they are compensated.”

The senator visited the victims at the hospital where he paid their bills and also pledged to off set the burial expenses of those that died.