*Seeks FG’s Partnership On Permanent Solution
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said his government feels the pain and suffering of communities and individuals affected by the rampaging flood in the state.
The Bayelsa governor also assured that the government will give top priority to alleviating the suffering of victims.
Diri who spoke recently during the 90th State Executive Council Meeting held inside the Executive Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, said it was his concern for the victims that necessitated the setting up of the task force on flooding, which has already visited more than 100 impacted communities.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the government was aware that some lives have been lost as well as homes and communities ravaged by the unfortunate perennial occurrence.
He noted that the state’s aquatic nature makes it heavily impacted as available reports indicate that comparatively this year’s flood would be worse than that of 2012.
His words: “Let me assure our brothers and sisters that have been heavily impacted that while we pray the flood abates soon, your government will also do the needful as we have set up a committee during the previous state executive council meeting.
“The committee has been working tirelessly and it will present a report today on what they have done so far. From that, I believe that some succour will come from your state government.
“I also like to salute the courage of Bayelsans in the face of the ravaging floods. Homes and communities have been sacked. Our people are now living as IDPs (internally displaced persons). We have also recorded a few deaths and destruction of property due to the flood.
“The flood might not be new to us as a people as we also pride ourselves as being aquatic. However, the ratio of this year’s flood comparatively appears to be the highest. The report I have just received suggest that this would go beyond the 2012 floods.
“Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters that have been severely impacted. Each and everyone of us, either directly or indirectly, have been impacted by the flood.”
Diri appealed to well-meaning citizens of the state to also come to the aid of victims of the disaster.
The governor equally called on the federal government to partner the state in working out a permanent solution to the flood by considering a dam to contain the waters.
In a related development, Governor Diri, last Thursday, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities and described it as very dire.
The governor, who was accompanied by the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei and Ayibaina Duba respectively as well as other top government functionaries, made stops at Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.
He also visited Odi and Kaiama communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
While addressing the people in Izon dialect, the governor said he wanted to get first hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.
He encouraged them not to despair even as he acknowledged that it was a trying period for everyone.
Diri presented cash gifts to the affected communities and assured them that relief materials will immediately get to them through the task force on flooding.
He equally called on Bayelsans to look out for one another and accommodate victims as homes and communities were being sacked.
His words: “I felt this was not the time for me to sit in my office while my brothers and sisters are in pains, hunger and in want. So I came to see things for myself.
“Roads have been overtaken by flood, houses submerged and the people are now internally displaced.
“We have sought out some high grounds where some of them will be resettled temporarily. We have also made palliative and medicines available.
“I came out in order to comfort the people so that they will know that their government stands with them in their time of trouble.
“Water has no respect for anybody as my house is also flooded in my community. So, everybody should be strong and be careful this period, particularly the women. Your children should not go into the water. It is a very tempting period but I know God will see us through.
“I have approved N450 million to provide succour for the people, which is the first tranche. Having seen things for myself, we will approve more money so our people can have something to eat while they go through this experience.”
The governor called on the federal government to come to the aid of the state as the present situation was beyond the resources of the state government just as he restated his call for the building of a dam around the River Niger.
The state’s helmsman also said he would consider inviting state governors in the low areas of the country to brainstorm on a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting the people along river lines.
In separate responses, the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Salo Adikumo, the Amananaowei of Sagbama community and the Community Development Committee chairman of Adagbabiri community, Mr. Oyinke Ekiye, expressed their profound gratitude to the governor for his magnanimity towards them.
They prayed God to give him the strength, vigour and mind to attend to the needs of the people at this discomforting times of the state.