Funds to rescue ravaging flood in Bayelsa hits N900m
…To procure more relief items and rescue operation
…As Atiku visits flood victims, swells funds to fight flood with N55m
Isaac Ombe–Yenagoa.
The Bayelsa State Government has approved another N450 million to fight the ravaging flood and to ensure the safety of victims of the state flood in the state.
With this amount, the funds approved for the State Flood Mitigation and Management Task Force, headed by Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri, now hits total of N900 million.
Recall that Governor Douye Diri had approved initial N450 million to the Task Force to commence the battle against the flood that had caused several destructions of properties and lives lost.
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The state’s Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ayibaina Duba, who disclosed the development to journalists, on Tuesday, in Yenagoa, said it was part of efforts to provide more relief materials such as food items and medical supplies to the increasing number of flood victims across the state.
Hon. Duba who reiterated the Governor Diri-led administration’s commitment to providing succor to the victims of the devastating flood and give lifeline to those who have lost everything, including houses and businesses to the flood.
He explained that the additional amount of 450million naira would go a long at procuring food and medicine for distribution to many citizens in the eight local government areas of the state who are running short of the initial basic provisions and food supplied to them by the state government.
He assured that government would also sustain the effective management of the IDP camps has about 20, 000.00 inmates in each of them.
In a similar development , the Flood Mitigation and Management Taskforce has taken delivery of more food items procured for distribution to flood impacted and displaced residents of the state.
Briefing newsmen at the Oxbow Lake Jetty in Yenagoa, Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri, Chairman of the Task Force, in a chat with journalists, said the items were conveyed through the waterways because of the East West Road is inaccessible to the state.
Mr. Gbaranbiri, who is also the state’s Commissioner for Environment added that the Nigerian Air Force was also assisting the state to airlift some of the food items from Lagos and Port Hacourt to Yenagoa.
He assured that the items received were being distributed with dispatch so that those in need can get the supplies immediately, adding that the distribution of relief materials to impacted communities in the state was continuing until the needs of the impacted are met.
The Commissioner said the state government would also continue with the provision of two meals daily to displaced persons in various IDPs camps apart from providing them medical services, potable water and other emergency aids.
Fielding questions from journalists on the cost of food and other items in the state, the Commissioner said the governor had inaugurated a committee to interface with marketers in order bring down the cost of items.
Also speaking, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency Hon. Walaman Igrurubia advised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to use the waterways or consider airlifting relief materials instead of the disappointing delay because the state is inaccessible by road.
In another development, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has donated a whopping N55 million to the state government to fight the ravaging flood.
Alhaji Atiku, who arrived Yenagoa at about 4:00pm, visited most of the flood victims and ravaged parts and of the state to see the carnage caused.
In company of Governor Diri and other top PDP stalwarts, Atiku’s last port of call was at the OX-Lake IDPs Camp where he met thousands of the IDPs and party faithful that gave him resounding welcome.
Atiku who announced a donation of N50 million to the state government to fight the flood also later donated N5m to the IDP camps as a dinner gift.
“I feel what you feel. I have come here to let you know that you are not the only people feeling what you are feeling.
“The fact that we are far away from you doesn’t mean we don’t feel what you feel
“We have come to share in your despire. We have come to share in your sorrow. We have come to share your wants and we have come to share everything that you feel today .
“We want to let you know that we will continue to be with you to see that this temporary situation is brought to an end.”
On arrival Bayelsa State Government House, Alhaji Atiku described the disaster as ‘disheartening’. He lamented its effect on the lives and economy of people of the state and called on the Federal Government and public-spirited individuals and organisations to support Bayelsa State in this difficult moment.
The former Vice President advocated the setting up of an independent flood disaster relief fund that will provide succour to victims and a temporary fund for farmers to ameliorate their losses and provide them with capital for next year’s planting season.
He also urged the Federal Government to build the required infrastructure to contain excess waters.
He said if elected president, he would commit to completing the dam in Adamawa State and take other necessary measures to ensure that Nigeria does not suffer this magnitude of damage as a result of flooding.
The PDP Presidential candidate offered scholarship up to university level to children of the late footballer, Ernest Peremobowei, who drowned after saving five other victims of the flood in a boat mishap.
His words, “Let me first thank Bayelsa delegates for their support during the last presidential primary election of our party.
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My visit to Yenagoa is to have a personal experience of the devastation that victims of flooding have suffered across the country. Climate change is real. The experience in Bayelsa is disheartening. Human lives and public infrastructure have been destroyed.
“People who are likely to survive this flood have lost their livelihood and need every ounce of support they can get. I commiserate with them.
“Permit me to take this sober moment to send my personal commiserations to President Jonathan for the manner the flood affected him.
“On my part and on behalf of my family, I wish to announce the sum of N50 million and call on my friends in the corporate world to also assist the victims of flood.”
Responding, Governor Diri said people of the state were encouraged by the display of love by the former Vice President.
Governor Diri, while confirming receipt of the donation, said he was the first presidential candidate to donate such amount, assuring that the money will be paid into the flood relief account for the benefit of victims.
The governor lamented the slow response of the Federal Government despite several efforts by him to get the attention of the relevant authorities.
He stressed that Bayelsa State remained the state that lays the golden egg where oil was first struck in commercial quantity and wondered why the Federal Government was yet to give the state the attention it deserved.
The Bayelsa State governor described Alhaji Atiku as a ‘caring father’ who has brought hope to people of the state and expressed optimism that he will win next year’s presidential election and work with the state to find lasting solutions to the issue of flooding.
The governor dismissed suggestions that the flooding was caused by rainfall, insisting that waters from the Lagdo Dam and issues of climate change were responsible.
He announced that a friend of the state, Alhaji Musa Bello, also awarded scholarship to the late footballer’s children.
His words, “Your coming has given us hope and encouragement. We have a father in you and we believe in you.
“You have talked to us as a father, like the president of Nigeria. We are happy you are here with us today. For the past three weeks we have been under this siege, cut off from neighbouring states.
“We have heard of your good works and all you have done even before you became VP. Today you have also displayed it by donating the sum of N50million, which is already in our kitty. My prayer is that come February 2023 you would be declared President and you will give a frontal attack to this problem that seems insurmountable.
“Bayelsa State still lays the golden egg. It is the first state that gave Nigeria the status of oil producing country. We have called and written letters but the response has been too slow.”
On Alhaji Atiku’s entourage were the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorcha Ayu, acting Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, a former National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, his campaign council spokesperson, Sen. Dino Melaye as well as members of the National Working Committee of the Party, amongst others.
