FLOODING: Nigerian Navy Deploys Boats for Humanitarian Efforts
In a deliberate effort to complement the Federal Government of Nigeria’s strategy at bringing succour to her citizens affected by the recent flood disasters across the country, the Nigerian Navy has been carrying out drastic humanitarian activities through some of its Bases and units especially within the riverine communities. Specifically, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) SOROH, a Naval Base in Bayelsa has in the past days deployed its personnel and assets including boats and trucks to provide ferry services and continuously rescue stranded travelers on the flood-ravaged East-West Road linking Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States especially around the Okogbe-Ihiuke-Ahoada axis of the road.
Also, in response to the national emergency, Nigerian Navy Personnel of NNS PATHFINDER in Rivers State and NNS DELTA in Delta State have been engaged in transporting stranded commuters to and fro their ends of the East-West Road particularly at the fringes of Patani using Nigerian Navy boats and other assets.
Additionally, in order to secure unsuspecting Nigerians from being taken advantage of, the Nigerian Navy personnel deployed to this operation have dismantled barricades erected by some youths to attack, harass and extort money from travelers plying the road.
Similarly, as part of the Nigerian Navy’s initiatives to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flooding in the nation, the Nigerian Navy’s High Command through its Naval Base in Kogi State, NNS LUGARD presented relief materials to about 100 flood affected members of Onumaye Community, Kogi State.
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The victims who comprise women and children were reported to be in critical condition after they lost their belongings to the flood and had to relocate to a make-shift shelter close to the NNS LUGARD. The relief materials included foodstuff like rice, noodles, portable water and vegetable oil. In the same spirit, the Nigerian Navy’s Central Naval Command in Bayelsa State recently donated food and humanitarian supplies to flood victims in Aguduma Community. The food items included noodles, bread, garri and sachet water.
Furthermore, the Command is to render medical services to the sick whenever required.
Notably, the various timely interventions of the Nigerian Navy which has been ongoing since the ravaging floods started early October 2022 led to saving of lives, providing medical care, boosting businesses and securing the citizens in the areas. Suffice to state that these timely and far-reaching efforts of the Nigerian Navy are essentially undertaken as part of its constitutional responsibilities to provide Aid to Civil Authority and in tandem with the Vision Statement of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo CFR which is to “To leverage on all factors of national location, technology, training, teamwork and synergy to re-energise the Nigerian Navy and enhance her as a well-motivated and ready naval force in the discharge of her Constitutional mandate and other assigned tasks in fulfillment of national security objectives”. Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy holds the view that supporting victims of flood and all kinds of disasters to ease their pains is a national service. As such, the Nigerian Navy will continue to do that in line with its mandate as it has done in the past.
Signed
AO AYO-VAUGHAN, Commodore
Director of Information
