Shasha: FG collaborates with OYSEMA, commence direct distribution of food palliatives to 982 victims

Akinlabi Afolabi, Ibadan

The President Mohammadu Buhari led government in ameliorating the economic effects of the mayhem that befall Shasha market around February, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Oyo state Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) have commenced direct distributions of food items as palliatives to victims of the Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development and Disaster Management, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq accompanied by the Chief of Staff to Oyo state Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, had in March, flagged off the distribution of the palliatives to victims of Shasha mayhem during her visit to Ibadan.

The Acting Zonal Coordinator of NEMA south west region, Mr. Akiode Saheed, during presentation of the food items to the victims on Thursday 23rd of April, at Shasha market, said that the palliatives were approved for direct distribution by President Mohammadu Buhari upon the request of the Honourable Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq.

“We are here with Oyo state SEMA for the direct distribution of relief assistance as approved by Mr President, President Mohammadu Buhari upon the request of the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, who has graciously approved these relief materials to be distributed to all affected victims of Shasha market which occurred on 12th February this year.

“The DG of NEMA has directed us to come and do the distribution to all 982 victims of the disaster here in collaboration with Oyo state SEMA and all relevant stakeholders ” Mr Akiode said.

In their separate remarks, leaders of both Yoruba and Hausa communities the Baale of Shasha and Seriki Shasha who spoke in their native languages expressed gratitude to President Mohammadu Buhari for reaching out to them in what they described as their ‘trying time’.

The Baale of Shasha market, Oba Amusa Akinade Ajani, who prayed for the success of President Buhari’s administration also solicited for more supports adding that the destruction of the market as a result of the mayhem greatly affected families and people’s sources of livelihoods.

“We are very grateful to the President for this show of compassion by reaching out to us in our trying time and we are very grateful for that.

“Our prayers are that the President will continue to succeed in everything he does and his administration will continue to progress. We only want to appeal for more support because people’s sources of livelihoods have been destroyed following the crisis.

“Government should expedite actions on the market reconstruction so that things will not get worse. You all know that the rains are here already and if actions are not expedited on helping us reconstruct the market people’s wares and properties will be further destroyed by the rains.” Baale Shasha said.

In his reaction, the Seriki Shasha, Alhaji Haruna Mai Yasin Katsina, thanked President Buhari, the Honourable Minister, NEMA and other relevant agency that facilitated the provisions of the relief materials, praying that God continue to help them succeed in all their endeavors.

“We thank the President, the Minister, NEMA, and OYSEMA and other agencies that are responsible for this, may God bless you abundantly because you have remembered us during our troubled time.” He concludes.

Speaking on behalf of market operators, the Babaloja of Shasha market, Chief Rashidi Popoola, commended President Mohammadu Buhari for reaching out to the victims of the market crisis earlier in the year.

He noted that since peace and trading activities have returned traders and market operators have not been able to erect structures that will prevent the rain from destroying their wares and therefore, appealed to both the Federal and State Government to urgently expedite actions on the reconstruction of the market.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) is his remark said the role of the state government in the distribution process is to ensure that only affected victims are beneficiaries of the palliatives.

He added that Governor Seyi Makinde as part of his commitment to the welfare of the people has commenced the reconstruction of the market by mobilizing earth moving equipments to the market which according to him, have commenced work immediately.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with journalists during the palliatives distribution expressed gratitude to President Mohammadu Buhari for the provision of the food items which according to them will help cushion the economic effects imposed on them as a result of the February 12 fire disaster which razed down the market.

The food items being distributed include 10kg of rice, beans, garri, and 20kg of vegetable oil. Other items include tomato pastes, maggi and salt.