Delta Red Cross Appeals To Okowa For Support
The leadership of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Delta State branch has appealed to the Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa-led government in the state for support to enable it carry out its core mandate especially in disaster management and the rescue of disaster victims.
Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society in the state, Prince Olatunde Victor Olasopu made the appeal while briefing the press Sunday on this year’s World Red Cross Day Celebration with the Theme, “Everywhere for Everyone” at the state Secretariat.
Olasopu noted that the problem of finance which has eaten deeply into their operational work was as a result of the organization not having steady source of income. “There is no support from people even government subvention is not paid. It solely depends on donations from well-meaning organization, individuals and government either by subvention or grant”, stressing that the organization presently finds it difficult to operate effectively.
The Red Cross Boss said, “we use to receive subvention or grant from the past government but now, it is not so. We want this government to add us to the monthly subvention or grant”.
On mobility, he said, “the issue of mobility is crucial to the organization. This will enable us to reach out to people in need such as accident and natural disaster victims and others. It will be on record, if individuals, firms or this government led by Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa can help to relax our nerves over this transportation problem. The chairman uses leg to move or take tricycle”, he cried.
The body also lamented that the absence of a place they call their secretariat has stood as a challenge to their activities especially when the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) comes with aides to victims of disaster as there is no store to keep such items.
According to him, “lack of secretariat post for effective dissemination of information to and from the needs in a cog in the wheel of our services to humanity”, stressing “the parcel of land approved by the state government near SPEB headquarters, off Okpanam Road since 1996 is still dormant and begging for development. In this direction, the society wishes to solicit for either financial or material support toward the building of the secretariat and disaster relief material store”.
He noted that the since the creation of the state in 1991, the Red Cross Society has made enormous strides towards saving lives and restoration of human dignity to those concerned, “this was spotted during the 1998 Ijesse fire disaster where the Red Cross Society worked tirelessly for saving lives and giving od relief packages to fire victims, adding that “other case studies where Delta State branch of the society performed credibly well in line with the principle establishing it, is the area of Warri crisis, Oviri Court, Elume, Evwreni, Ohoror, Ododheghor in Ughelli north local government area, Etua-Otagbunor, Isselegu/Ibabu in Ndokwa, Ozoro, Olomoro, Otor-Ogor/Ughelli, Gbaramatu, Okporoza and mostly during the year 2012 flood disaster where we have stamped our foot-step to the admiration of the masses, saying their appeal if granted would enable them to do the unprecedented.
He disclosed that this year’s celebration has a number of activities lined up which includes: rallies, lectures on disaster Relief Preparedness and Operations, first aid training for the Nigerian Police, Delta State Command, stimulation exercise at the motor parks, environmental sanitation, football march, Church and Jumat services, HIV/AID campaign and visitations to orphanage homes which would culminate into the grand finale.
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