THE Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, on Thursday, presented food items worth millions to the people of Okuama currently at the Ewu-Okuama Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Ewu-Urhobo community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Delta Central lawmaker also called on the Federal government to work with the Delta State government and commence the process of rebuilding and resettling the people of Okuama in their ancestral home.
He also appealed to international donor agencies to come to the aid of the Okuama people, noting that the situation at Okuama is an international humanitarian crisis that needs global efforts to rebuild and resettle the people.
He equally called on the authority of the Nigerian Army to follow democratic principles in dealings with Okuama leaders arrested this week. Stressing that the rights of the civilians arrested must be respected and they should not be subjected to any form of abuse; rather, they should be brought to civil court to answer any allegations against them.
Senator, who presented two live cows, 100 cartoons of indomie noodles, 20 cartons of Soya oils and four bags of Garri, vowed not to rest on his oars until Okuama is rebuilt and the indigenes are returned to their ancestral homes.
He said, “This is not one visit or one-stop matter as the plight of those that have been displaced must continue to resonate in the public space and the space of concerned Nigerians who seek to help to ensure that they are rehabilitated and then life continues normally as soon as possible.
“Words reached me about a week ago that they were short of protein, and this visit was to deliver the two cows, 100 cartons of noodles, 20 cartons of Soya oils and four bags of garri. I know this does not solve the problem of the camp. But it is a small contribution towards maintaining the nutrition of the children and adults in the camp and on a larger and wider scale.
Senator Dafinone, who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor and other APC faithful, disclosed that he is hoping to get positive reports soon, and it is part of his assignments to look and care for citizens of Delta Central.
Receiving the items, the Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Camp Management Committee, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, commended Senator Dafinone for standing with the people of Okuama in their trying time, noting Dafinone had been at the forefront in trying to resolve the Okuama crisis.
He said; “Senator, we can’t thank you enough that you are not just coming here for the first time; you have been involved in Okuama matter.
