Akyem Oda (E/R), Aug. 31, GNA - The Produce Buying Company Limited (PBC) has donated relief items to the recent flood victims at the Birim Central, East Akyem Municipality, Atiwa District and the Kwaebibirem District at separate ceremonies.

The items included 50 bags of maize, 100 bags of rice, 50 bags of sugar, vegetable cooking oil and cartons of soap. At Akyem Oda, the items were received by Ms Ophelia Koomson, the Municipal Chief Executive, on behalf of the Birim Central Municipal Assembly.

She thanked PBC for the kind gesture and said the flood had caused a lot of damages to property and rendered many people homeless compelling some families to lodge in classrooms. Ms Koomson said since the disaster occurred, the municipality had received a lot of relief assistance from the government, philanthropists and various organisations.

She expressed the hope that other items such as cement and iron roofing sheets would be donated to enable them find permanent accommodation for the affected victims.

At Kade in the Kwaebibirem District, the District Coordinating Director, Mr Peter Nimo, who received the items on behalf of the Assembly, said the disaster affected 9,493 people and so far the assembly had spent GH¢40,000 on the affected victims. Mr Nimo said since the main cause of the flood was as a result of illegal mining activities in the area, the assembly had formed a sub-committee to check the activities of both registered and illegal miners in the area.

He thanked the PBC for the gesture and gave the assurance that the items would be given to the affected victims. At the Atiwa District, the items were received by the District Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, Nana Danso Anaggyei, on behalf of the Assembly. He thanked the company for the gesture and added that five people had lost their lives in the District and more than 10,000 people had been rendered homeless.

The Municipal Chief Executive for East Akyem, Mr Simon Asirifi, on behalf of the Assembly thanked PBC for the donation and said they would be given to the affected victims. Mr Augustus Yaw Nti, Eastern Regional Manger of PBC, said the donation formed part of their social responsibilities adding that the company was ready to assist cocoa farmers whose farms were affected by the floods.