Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again urged the Federal Government to support the state to cushion the effect of the devastating floods.
He said considering Bayelsa’s contribution to the nation’s economy, the response of the Federal Government to the flood situation in the state was not commensurate and fair.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the Governor made the remark while declaring open a three-day solemn assembly of fasting and prayers ahead of the state’s annual Thanksgiving Day today.
While bemoaning the level of destruction caused by the natural disaster across communities in the state, the Governor noted that it would cost the government hundreds of billions of naira to rehabilitate damaged road infrastructure in the state.
He also stated that people of the state have been rendered homeless and traumatised with their livelihoods gone.
”We are still calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid. What it will cost us to repair broken down roads amount to hundreds of billions of naira.
“This is a solemn period. As a government and people, we are suffocating. This is the state where the golden egg is laid. The Federal Government quickly intervenes in disasters that are not up to half of what we are experiencing now”, he said.
Diri emphasised that the state was yet to receive relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and cautioned against playing politics with the lives of people that are in great distress.
“Let us not play politics with the lives of people that are already traumatised and dying. Houses are giving way. Our infrastructure is gone. As I speak, what the State Emergency Management Agency has received from NEMA are mosquito nets and some guinea brocade materials. Food items that are being distributed in the state were procured by the Bayelsa government”, he added.
In the same vein, the State Governor expressed appreciation to those that have supported the state as it grapples with the raging floods.
Governor Diri, who spoke during the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, said the support received so far has helped the state in its recovery process.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, assured that funds and items received will be published in line with the transparent posture of the administration.
The Governor said he was grateful to the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, for visiting the State and pledging to support victims of the flood.
He also expressed gratitude to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his philanthropy and empathy shown to people of the state.
Abubakar, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, was also in Bayelsa to visit victims of the flood and donated the sum of N55 million.
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who visited one of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp at Igbogene with members of his cabinet on Wednesday, also donated N100 million on behalf of his state government.
Others are Dr. Azibapu Eruani, an illustrious son of the state, who pledged during his visit to support victims of the flood with food items worth N350 million, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who wrote a letter commiserating with the state and donating the sum of N50 million to tackle the floods.
The Governor also appreciated the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao, for the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
“We procured some items and because the road into our state has been cut off, we approached the Air Force and they obliged to airlift what we bought from Abuja to PH and to Yenagoa”, Governor Diri said.
On the Thanksgiving Day, Diri said there was no better time to offer thanksgiving to God as the flood disaster in the state could have been worse.
Diri, who urged the people to participate in the thanksgiving service today, commended the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for setting aside a special day backed by law for Bayelsans to gather to thank God.
In his sermon titled: “The Good Shepherd,” Catholic Bishop of the Bomadi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Egbebo, described God as a care-giver that expresses utmost concern for His people.
According to him, God is the sustainer of the universe and people should draw closer for Him to supply all their needs.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa