Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday visited Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital to sympathise with flood victims in the state, lamenting that the federal government had yet to respond three weeks after a massive flooding hit Bayelsa State.
Obi, who spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House before they both visited internally displaced persons at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion camp in Yenagoa, lamented the hardship experienced by people of the state as a result of the floods and wondered why the federal government had not sent a high-powered delegation to the state with a view to providing assistance for the people.
While calling on the federal government to declare an emergency over the flooding in parts of Nigeria with Bayelsa as a case in point, he remarked that as a state that is strategic to the economy of Nigeria, it deserved more from the centre.
He called on the international community, donor agencies and public-spirited individuals and organizations to assist the government navigate through this difficult moment.
Obi lauded Governor Diri’s handling of the situation so far and urged him not to give up while promising to stand with the people in their trying moments.
The Labour Party presidential candidate said he decided to suspend his campaign to sympathise with the people of Bayelsa and other states affected and promised not to resume campaigns until this phase of flooding is over.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to Obi for his show of love to people of the state, saying he felt comforted with his visit which was the first by any high profile individual.
Diri lamented the impact of the flood, which he said had claimed lives, property and destroying the economy of the state.
He acknowledged the concern showed by President Muhammadu Buhari by directing federal rescue and disaster management agencies to assist the state. He however noted that the directive was yet to be adhered to.
He assured people of the state that his administration would continue to stand with them and spare no effort in providing relief to victims of the flood.
