Eto Mkpe Yellow Duke community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State received relief materials worth millions of naira from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This intervention is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to support distressed communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
The relief materials were personally delivered by Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the Cross River State Representative in the NDDC, on Monday, June 3, 2024. He revealed that these items were part of the 2021/2022 palliatives meant for flood-affected communities in the Niger Delta, which Cross River State had not received until now.
“When I assumed office, I took up the matter and secured approval for the release of the items to the state,” Hon. Duke explained. He emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of afflicted communities, stating, “It behoves on me to identify certain afflicted communities to try and augment and remedy some of their plights.”
Duke listed the relief items, which included rice, Indomie noodles, slippers, mosquito nets, fishing nets, and other essential goods designed to help the community rebuild. “We are just an interventionist agency. Ours is to try to assist. And we pray that in assisting, whatever little token we have to give will not and should not bring acrimony within the community,” he said, stressing the importance of unity in the distribution process.
Hon. Duke also underscored the collaborative effort between the NDDC and the state government, led by Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu. “Let the records show that as much as we want to help out, we will help out in tandem with what the state government is doing. We’ll try and strive as hard as possible to add value to what our governor is doing,” he assured.
In addition to the relief materials, Hon. Duke announced that road projects for Eto Mkpe community had been included in the NDDC’s budget for the year, pending approval by the National Assembly. This indicates a broader scope of infrastructural development planned for the area.
Receiving the relief materials, His Highness Anthony Edem Nyong, the village head of Eto Mkpe, expressed profound gratitude to the NDDC Commissioner. He offered prayers for God’s blessings and protection on Hon. Duke and the Commission for their support.
Youth leader Mr. Felix Nsa Effanga also conveyed the youths’ appreciation for the relief materials and other ongoing projects, including the installation of solar lights. He highlighted the community’s anticipation of future projects promised by the NDDC.
The event concluded with a town hall meeting, where men, women, and youths of Eto Mkpe community had the opportunity to interact directly with the NDDC representative, expressing their concerns and hopes.
This distribution to Eto Mkpe is part of a broader NDDC initiative, which has also recently provided relief materials to Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA, Esierebom in Calabar South LGA, and Bakassi returnees in Bakassi LGA, demonstrating the Commission’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities across the region.