The Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), has warned Bayelsans to be cautious of consuming the food items catered away by angry residents who invaded a privately-owned warehouse, adding that the items were not fresh food palliatives.
In a statement signed by the director-general, BYSEMA, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa on Monday, the agency said that the food items, notably rice and garri were remnants of the 2022 flood palliatives and were not hoarded by the agency or the state government.
Some angry residents in Yenagoa, the State capital, had invaded a warehouse where palliatives consisting of Rice, Beans, Garri, Noodles and other items meant to be distributed to victims of the devastating flood in 2022 are stored and carted away the items.
The incident occurred about 7.45pm on Sunday, August 27, almost an hour after the director-general, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia, alongside some BYSEMA personnel, left the warehouse premises.
The angry residents had bemoaned the state government’s non distribution of palliatives provided by the federal government as part of its effort to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal policy.
According to Igrubia, the agency had used the invaded privately-owned warehouse to store food items during the 2022 flood in the state.
“As part of preparations for an impending flood this year, the DG visited the premises and in his presence, remnants of food items, notably rice and garri that were no longer fit for consumption, were cleared from the warehouse and placed outside for disposal the next day.
“The remnants, which were swept from the floor and packed in disused bags, were less than 10 bags of rice and garri and with some broken cans of oil.
“For emphasis, BYSEMA states that these items were not fresh food palliatives and were not hoarded by the agency or the state government.
“Importantly, these items are unfit for human consumption and a responsible, caring government like ours will not give Bayelsans such items as palliatives.
“In essence, there were really no food items to loot. So, those who carted away the unfit items are please advised in their own interest not to consume them”, Igrubia said.
