Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has said the ongoing floods in parts of Delta State is enough for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to put on hold his campaigns outside the state and address the welfare of residents immediately.
But Chief Patrick Ukah, secretary to the State Government, (SSG), replied that the state government had adopted proactive measures in setting up camps, which were being complemented by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC) to mitigate the impact of the flood on displaced persons from within those communities as part of its interventionists efforts in assisting flood victims from the areas.
He said, “Our people need help” over the devastation caused by the floods to food crops, farmlands, houses and property, resulting in some cases of loss of lives.
He tasked the state government to be alive to its responsibilities in addressing the welfare of affected communities and citizens.
“We have a government here at the state level. I can’t imagine anything that is more important right now than pushing for the welfare of the citizens. After all, these are the people who voted us into office. I think everything that the government is into, both at state and federal levels, most especially the state, should be put on hold and the welfare of our people immediately addressed. And thereafter, we look for how we address the concerns in the immediate future.
The stat chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) governorship candidate said the essence of this assessment tour is to determine the extent of damage. I think I have seen more than enough. And it’s also the same in the three Ukwuani local government areas. In fact, 16 or 19 local government areas in the state have suffered the same fate.
“Our people are in pain. And they need help right away. Even before coming here, I have already reached out to the minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and also the director general of NEMA, impressing on them the necessity to bring immediate relief and assistance to those who have been rendered homeless with all sources of livelihood wiped out.”
