The Nigerian Government, on Tuesday in Maputo, pledged to
assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mozambique which was
recently hit by tropical disaster called cyclone idai.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, made
the pledge on Tuesday when he handed over relief items to Mr Antonio Tchamo, the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Civil Servant of
Mozambique at the National Institute of Disaster Management in Maputo.
Onyeama, who led the Federal Government delegation to
deliver relief materials to the Southern African countries of Malawi,
Mozambique and Zimbawe, said the gesture was part of efforts of President
Muhammadu Buhari to alleviate the sufferings of the people affected by the
hurricane.
The minister explained that President Buhari directed him to deliver over 8,000 medical items, 35 tones of other relief materials and 500,000 US dollars to the government of Mozambique.
Also Read: Cyclone Idai: Nigeria donates 30,000 tonnes of medical equipment, vaccines, $500,000 to Malawi
He said that the measure was a show of brotherhood and
solidarity to the people of Mozambique at this very critical time.
Onyeama recalled that during the struggle against apartheid,
Nigeria was considered a front line state.
He said “Whatever happens to any country in Africa, our Pan
African sentiment is always with them.
” We will be with you at every step on the way towards
rehabilitation and reconstruction process that will now take place.
“On behalf of the government and people of Federal Republic
of Nigeria, I will like to express our deep sympathy to the government and
people of Mozambique for the very tragic, lost of lives, and properties as well
as injuries caused by the hurricane.
“The people of Mozambique at this time are very much in our
thoughts and prayers.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has personally charged me to
lead a delegation here to deliver to you some relief items and support and we
hope that the relief materials and some cash will go a long way to to reduce
the suffering of the victims of the disaster.”
Responding, Mr Tchamo explained that no fewer than 1.6
million people were affected and displaced by the disaster and 603 deaths recorded.
He also said that 16,200 people sustained various degree of
injuries, more than 300,000 houses destroyed, 45,000 students affected, 3,600
schools affected and 93 health centres destroyed.
He thanked the Nigerian Government for the donation and described
it as a show of solidarity and brotherhood.
” We never doubt your solidarity and brotherhood since the
time of struggle against colonialism.
” It is in the difficult moment that we know who is
surrounding us.
” On behalf of the government and people of Mozambique, we
will like to thank the government of Nigeria for this gesture.
” This moment is going to be recorded in our history and
heart,” Tchamo said.
The newsmen reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Onyeama after delivering the relief items in Mozambique proceeded to Zimbabwe
to conclude the presidential assignment.
