The people of Soku, in Akuku-Toru Local Council of Rivers State, were excited to receive palliatives from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cushion the effects of health challenges that struck the people early this year.
The gesture, The Guardian gathered, was to also help in ameliorating the pressing economic challenges among the rural people, especially Soku, which is a riverine community.
The residents said that the intervention would go a long way to address their plight after being neglected for so long.
Soku Community had witnessed serious health challenges that affected residents due to what health officials attributed to bad drinking water from polluted rivers and wells.
The situation was brought to the knowledge of the NDDC representative in the state, Tony Okocha, who notified the board of the Commission.
The board immediately approved emergency procurement of healthcare deliverables and services.
Some of the palliatives delivered yesterday included bags of rice, beans, garri, provisions and toiletries. Others are mosquito nets, bags of salt and sugar, among many others.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the palliatives, Okocha said that the palliatives and the food items donated by the Commission to the communities was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in a bid to transform the lives of Nigerians.
According to Okocha, the current NDDC board is interested in putting smiles on the faces of the people and lifting them out of poverty.
