Bayelsa State Government, on Saturday, commenced distribution of relief materials to victims of flood-ravaged communities in the eight local government areas of the state.
The distribution is in fulfillment of Governor Douye Diri’s promise when he led top government functionaries on an on-the-spot assessment of flooded communities in the state.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson, noted that the distribution was the government’s own way of cushioning the negative impact of flooding on the people.
He said the government was not unaware of the devastating effects of the annual natural disaster on farmlands and the untold hardship on farmers. He stressed that the distribution would be devoid of party interests.
The governor urged those responsible for supervising the distribution to reach out to internally displaced persons, the elderly and those whose property were damaged by the flood. He also called for cooperation from the people as the relief materials get to them in order to achieve the purpose for its distribution.
On ground to receive the items for onward distribution to their areas were the chairmen of Kolokuma/ Opokuma local government area, Chief Dengiye Ubarogu, and his Sagbama counterpart, Embeleakpo Alali.
Speaking with journalists, Chief Ubarugu and Mr. Alali both thanked Governor Diri for coming to the aid of the victims, who they said were gradually recovering from the flood.
They promised to distribute the relief materials to every victim of the flood, noting that councillors representing each ward have been mobilised for even distribution. The distribution of more relief materials continues with the other local government areas on a daily basis.
