By Roland Ike

A Philanthropist, Monday Elom, has distributed food items to victims of a communal conflict in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The distribution held at Azuofia Edda community in the Council saw 45 widows alongside over 100 orphans and elders, receiving cash, food, cows and other empowerment items.

The business mogul said the distribution was to cushion the hardship faced by the people due to communal conflict with its neighbouring Cross River community recently.

“This is an annual event to assist the downtrodden in the once conflict–ravaged area which has been abandoned by relevant authorities.

“We are aware of the conflict which claimed several lives and caused untold suffering on the people.

“I realise daily that I have a very big burden which prompted me to celebrate in their midst.”

Elom urged relevant authorities and well-meaning citizens to assist the community because the people were starving and lacked essential amenities.

“I am just a business entrepreneur struggling to survive but we have politicians with wide connections.

“Most of the boreholes in the community for instance, are not functioning, as prominent personalities should not allow the people suffer.

“Most of their farmlands were seized by the neighbouring community during the conflict and they do not have where to farm presently.”

Elom appealed to the Ebonyi government to look into the plight of the people to ease the suffering confronting them.

“Most of the inhabitants are displaced with over 500 houses burnt during the conflict.

“They cannot access their farmlands which were embargoed as part of conditions for peace during the conflict.”

The chairman of the occasion, Ogbuefi Emmanuel Nwokpoku thanked Elom for the gesture noting that he has the people’s interest at heart.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Treasurer, Mr Mathew Uguru also commended Elom and called on other illustrious sons of the community to emulate him.

Uguru represented by Coordinator of Enyi-Edda Development Centre of the council, Mr Reuben Edeh noted that relevant authorities have initiated moves to demarcate the disputed land.

“They have also made other interventions to cushion the effects of the conflict on the people.”

Mrs Josephine Oketa, one of the beneficiaries thanked Elom for the gesture and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.

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