The Federal Government has commenced distribution of the presidential palliatives to victims of 2022 flood in Bayelsa.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi, stated this on Tuesday at the flag-off and hand- over of the palliatives to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency in Yenagoa.
Adebiyi said that the palliatives were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari out of his love for people of the Niger Delta and commitment to alleviating the challenges that came with the flood.
He listed the items approved for distribution to include: social relief care packs, such as mattresses, pillows, blankets and cooking pots, amongst others.
Adebiyi said that the nutritional packs, included: cartons of noodles, bags of rice, garri and beans, with livelihood items like grinding machines, sewing machines, hair clippers and building materials (cement, roofing sheets and ceiling boards).
He said that the communities that were highly impacted by the effect of the flood were identified by NEMA, through the needs assessment conducted after the flood.
The permanent secretary, represented by the Director of Economic Empowerment in the ministry, Mr Philip Ndiomu, said the distribution exercise was the first phase.
He noted that the implementation of the second phase would also commence very soon.
“Even though the flood was predicted by relevant federal and state agencies, the density of the flood was, however, beyond our imagination.
“It was the worst flood, going by its destructive effect on the livelihood of the people and the entire ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
“Homes, farmlands and businesses were lost to the flood. Regrettably, it is worthy of note that Niger Delta is always worse hit by flood in the country because of its topography and location.
“We are aware that no amount of relief provided by government can replace the losses as a result of the flood.
“However, it is our candid belief that the relief items will help alleviate the burden currently being faced by our people,” he said.
According to him, the gesture is not just a physical distribution of materials, but it represents the compassion and empathy of the government toward the people.
“The palliative items will be handed over to NEMA for onward distribution to the beneficiaries, as identified in the affected communities/ LGAs.
“In addition, government officials and security personnel have been assigned to monitor the distribution exercise to ensure that the items get to those for whom they are meant.
“These materials will be meticulously distributed in all the identified local government areas of the Niger Delta states so as to forestall diversion or any irregularity,” he said.
In his remarks, the Assistant Chief Search and Rescue Officer, NEMA, Mr Fortunatus Anyanwu, said that the agency would ensure that the items were well distributed to the victims.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr Walaman Igrubia, commended the ministry for donating the palliatives to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood.
He called on other government agencies and ministries to also follow suit.
“Although this will not be enough for everybody that was affected by the flood, it will, however, go a long way in alleviating the suffering occasioned by the flood.
“We understand that government is winding down, but such gesture should be a continuous thing,” he said. (NAN)
