Bayelsa Unimpressed With NEMA Relief For Flood Victims

The Bayelsa State government has expressed dissatisfaction with the relief materials delivered by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  to victims of the flood disaster in the state, saying the non-food items were not encouraging compared to the number of persons displaced in the state.

The state government through the chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, Hon. Walama Igrubia, disputed NEMA’s claims on number of relief materials brought to the state between Wednesday and Thursday, saying they were grossly inadequate.

Igrubia pointed out that the state received 41 bales of brocade, 1,000 pieces of men’s clothing, 1000 women’s clothing and 1,000 children’s clothing and 750 bundles of mosquito nets among others, adding that what the state needed more was food items to care for the rising numbers of displaced persons.

He expressed disappointment with the excuse by the federal government for the delay and inability to offer assistance to the state, saying; “The state government since the flood has been airlifting food items from Lagos and Port Harcourt. We also had relief materials through the sea. I feel that as a government under a federating unit like Nigeria, there shouldn’t be any hindrance to get us food. Bayelsa government is not relenting and has been ensuring that food is made available to those displaced.

“It is only normal and necessary that federal government through NEMA intervene. The intervention so far is not encouraging. The non-food items brought can come later but the state needs food at the moment. It is when a man eats that he can survive. I want to appeal to NEMA to expedite action.”

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Tthe National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South-South zone in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force had between Wednesday and Thursday airlifted relief supplies to  the state to cushion the effect of the flood.

According to NEMA, items delivered to Bayelsa State include 1,400 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 bags of 10kg beans, 1,400 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of salts (20kg), while non-food items are 8,000 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets, 600 cartons of bath soap, among others.