As a way of providing succour to victims of the devastating flood disaster in Bayelsa State, the United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has flown relief materials to five communities in Yenagoa.
Chief Operating Officer of the airline, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said this was made in fulfilment of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“The flood experienced this year has been very devastating. Lives have been negatively impacted by the flood.
“Families have been separated. Homes and properties destroyed. Businesses have also been negatively affected. More than half of the state is under water. We hope for immediate receding of the flood so that people can return to their normal lives.
“What we have done is in line with our CSR. It is also in response to the call for help. The impact of the flood is huge and it will cost a lot to fix.
“We have only contributed towards ameliorating the sufferings of the people, many of whom cannot even find a place to cook for their families. We put ourselves in the shoes of those who have been negatively impacted by the flood.
“We feel their pains at this time and keep praying that succour will come their way sooner,” he said via in a press statement.
Also speaking during the donation of the relief materials to the representatives of the host communities, Director of Flight Operations for Unused Airlines, Chimara Imediegwu, also said: “This is not a lot and we would wish we had a lot but we thank God that the people have survived and I love the Nigerian spirit that never gives up.
“So, we are looking forward to better days ahead and we want to thank God that there is a future and we look forward to our children growing in a better environment,” Imediegwu said.
He called on other private organisations to rise to the occasion by providing whatever help can be given.
“We know that people have been rendered homeless, there is cold and insect bites and there has to be food to eat and water to drink.
“So we are appealing to the rest of private and government arms to help and reach out now that our people are in need and not wait until we mourn,” he added.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Gbaranbiri Eselemo, expressed his gratitude to United Nigeria Airlines for standing in for the people during these trying times.
According to Eselemo, over 400 communities are displaced, ancestral homes are being lost to the flood, and there have been casualties that the State has lost to the flood.
While expressing his gratitude to UNA, he said “it is when you are in grief that you know your friends. United Nigeria Airlines has proven to be a friend and brother to Bayelsa. Thank you for empathising with us and for standing in with us.
“You have said you are bringing more to the affected victims and particularly your host community. The State government and the governor will be receiving the information from us. We will continue to work together so that tomorrow will be better for all of us,” he said.
Items donated include bags of rice, milk, noodles, salt, sugar, cooking oil, potable drinking water, beverages amongst others.
