October 24, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Elders’ Council has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently visit Bayelsa State to personally assess the damage the flood has done to life and livelihood in the state.
The chairman of the Elders’ Council and former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (Rtd), made the call while speaking on behalf of the group when it donated food items including bags of rice and Garri to the State government at the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Camp at Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa.
Gboribiogha Jonah insisted that in line with the National Disaster Management System, it is the responsibility of the Federal Agencies to take the lead role rather than leaving the state to contend with the flood disaster, warning that the already appalling situation might relapse into a humanitarian crisis if the federal government failed to act swiftly.
He said that the Bayelsa Elders’ Council was not comfortable with the attitude of a number of federal agencies, who they accused of bulk passing, adding that advising Bayelsans to move to higher grounds is advice out of misunderstanding because there are no high grounds to go to in Bayelsa.
They advised the federal government should rather build flood shelters, as it is done elsewhere to provide comfortable accommodation each time a flood occurs.
The elders, however, were full of praise for the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for the courage and determination he has demonstrated in the face of the flood disaster, saying that the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of flood victims, has greatly given comfort and hope to residents of the state. Elder Gboribiogha said that in line with the national disaster management system, it was the responsibility of the federal government to lead the efforts by managing the crisis caused by the unprecedented flood that has taken over the whole state.
He said the Bayelsa State elders will continue to support the Governor in his efforts at mitigating the effects of the flood on residents.
Receiving the relief materials, the Chairman of the Flood Mitigation Task Force and Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Iselema Gbaranbiri, thanked the elders’ council for their humanitarian gesture and solidarity with the government and people of Bayelsa State.
