Lagos: January 23, 2013 – First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State commenced the distribution of post-disaster relief materials to flood victims in some of the affected states in Nigeria.
The beneficiaries of the donation, which is being made through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, include victims of the flood disaster in Kogi, Delta, Plateau, Bayelsa and Rivers states. The relief materials include beddings, toiletries, kitchen equipments, water cans, water purifiers and farming implements.

Apart from the initial donation, FCMB through the Bankers Committee has also made significant financial commitment towards assisting other affected states and communities in the country. In addition to the donation, FCMB staff have also volunteered hours to work with the Nigerian Red Cross Society in providing logistics support where required across the affected states.

Commenting on the distribution of the post disaster relief materials in Bayelsa State on Tuesday, FCMB’s Senior Vice President, Public Sector Group, Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo, noted that the bank was deeply touched by the effect of the devastating flood on the people whose houses, communities, farmlands and other properties were destroyed by the recent flood that occurred in many states across the country.

He expressed optimism that, “the bank’s gesture will bring a certain degree of succour to the families affected.”

In his response, the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, commended FCMB and other kind hearted organisations that responded to the Society’s appeal for support for the flood victims in the 12 affected states. Okorocha, who was represented by the State Chairman of the NRCS, Chief Peter Ogbara, also called for more support and donations from governments of the affected states to enable the Society effectively perform its humanitarian complimentary roles in the states.

Also speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Post-flood Relief Management Committee in Bayelsa State, Chief Francis A. Daukpola, commended the quality of the relief materials donated by FCMB and appealed to other institutions in the country to emulate the good gestures of the bank. He stated that more items are needed for the settlement of the flood victims, especially as many of them lost their entire means of livelihood.

Over the years, FCMB has actively invested in different communities across the country and would continue to do so in the three critical areas of Poverty Alleviation, Economic Empowerment and Environmental Sustainability which have been carefully chosen to reach more communities in Nigeria.