November 10, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa state government has received relief materials from the Nàtional Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to cushion the effects of the devastating flood that wreaked havoc on critical infrastructure and loss of lives.
Speaking while delivering the relief materials, the Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, said the event is yet another significant milestone towards consolidating the mutual support and collaboration between the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Government of Bayelsa State on disaster management and humanitarian service delivery.
“You will all agree with me that in the last couple of months several states of Nigeria including Bayelsa State have suffered widespread flood disasters. The unfortunate flood incidents have resulted in loss of lives, human displacement, loss of means of livelihood and socio-economic dislocation. Furthermore, banditry and economic downturn and pre-harvest food shortage has increased the vulnerability of a segment of the populace in the recent past. In this regard, the Zonal Office of NEMA has continuously worked with the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to conduct damage and loss assessments to guide relief intervention to persons in need of support in Bayelsa state.”
Represented by Commodore Edward Adedoku Kolawole, he said that in line with assessments conducted and reports to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR approved the release of 12,000 metric tons of assorted grains from the National Strategic Reserve Stock for distribution to all states of the federation and the FCT. Part of the grains delivered to Bayelsa State to give succour to the most vulnerable groups of persons includes 105 metric tons of maize (2,100 bags of 50kg), 88.7 metric tons of sorghum (1,774 bags of 50kg), and 98.7 metric tons of garri (3,948 bags of 25kg).
The grains will be distributed directly to the deserving persons in collaboration with officials of the Bayelsa SEMA and the NEMA Zonal Office.
Furthermore, the additional approved relief materials in form of food and non-food items to further support persons affected by the flood disaster in Bayelsa State includes 1,000 bags of 10kg rice, 1,000 bags of 10kg beans, 1,000 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of salt (20kg), 75 kegs of vegetable oil (201trs), 150 cartons of seasoning cubes (Maggi knorr), and 75 cartons of tin tomato (50 sachets). While Non-Food Items include 8,000 pieces of nylon mats,1,000 pieces of mosquito nets (treated), 600 cartons of bath soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade (5 yards), 1,000 pieces of children’s wear (new), 1,000 pieces of women’s wear (new), and 1,000 pieces of men’s wear (new).
He used the opportunity to say that the Federal Government, through NEMA, cannot compensate persons impacted by disasters. “We cannot compensate people for the traumatic experience that have sat breck times of disasters. Yet we have to help people to get back on their feet and restart normal life with this type of intervention. The relief intervention is a testimony that the Federal Government, through NEMA, is always with the people of Bayelsa State and their wellbeing
“We want to also use this opportunity to appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State to set up and strengthen Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in all the Local Government Areas of Bayelsa state; to take disaster risk management to the grassroots in line with global best practices. This is with the understanding that every disaster happens in a particular community and in a particular Local Government Area. The first life-saving responders are always from the local community. As we always say; disasters are always local, the lifesaving first responders are always local too”
He also suggested to Bayelsa state to set aside predictable funding to Bayelsa SEMA to enable the Agency to intervene timely to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.
In response, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and natural resources, Chief David Alagoa, expressed appreciation for sending the relief items which have given the state the hope and assurance that like other states that were affected by the flood, Bayelsa state is part and parcel of Nigeria, adding that like the suggestion, the state government had set up the State Emergency Management Agency that works in collaboration with the Flood Management and Mitigation Committee.”This is the beginning of a new relationship, kindly send our gratitude to President Mohamadu Buhari” he expressed.
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