By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Relief materials worth N20 million were recently distributed to victims of floods in Nigeria last year by a ride-hailing platform, Bolt, a notable musician, Timi Dakolo.
The items were shared with the beneficiaries in the most affected cities in the country to support residents of the communities in recovering from the disaster, which has contributed to the rise in the prices of goods and services in Nigeria.
According to a statement from Bolt, the items were taken to communities in Bayelsa and Kogi States as part of its commitment to the cities it operates in as a responsible and compassionate corporate citizen.
It was gathered that non-perishable food, medication, clothing, and other relief materials were given directly to the individuals in two of the most affected areas, Yenagoa and Lokoja.
In addition, Bolt intends to support active drivers on the Bolt platform in the affected cities who are now unable to earn an income via the platform.
“Community engagement is a priority for Bolt as a corporate citizen in Nigeria. That’s why we are happy to provide much-needed flood relief supplies to those affected in Lokoja and Yenagoa.
“We understand the unprecedented damage and devastation these floods have caused, and we are committed to being a compassionate and supportive presence,” Bolt’s Regional Manager for West Africa, Ireoluwa Obatoki, said.
On his part, Timi Dakolo said, “Bayelsa is home to me, so it was important that we did something for the communities displaced by the flood.
“I thank Bolt for playing an integral role in providing basic amenities like food, medical supplies, sanitary pads, and so on to these communities.
“From this initiative, we see that Bolt is part of us here; we are one because they were there for us when we had needs.”
Nigerian cities have experienced unprecedented damages from the worst flooding in the country since 2012, affecting about 34 states.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the flooding has affected more than 3 million people in Nigeria, with over 600 people losing their lives and another 1.5 million displaced.
Bolt has supported projects that reduce its environmental impact on the community since 2019.
In Kenya, the ride-hailing company partnered with a local contributor to plant 11 million trees in degraded areas.
For Bolt Nigeria, the flooding in Nigeria is a signal to increase its commitment to sustainability across Nigeria and Africa.
