The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Douye Diri, has instructed all state employees, aside from those performing critical duties to take a one-week vacation from work due to the devastating effects of the flood.
This is just as Diri also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider providing the state government with “special funds” in order to lessen the terrible effects of the state’s catastrophic flood disaster.
Douye Diri further begs foreign oil firms, charitable organisations, the Red Cross, diplomatic missions, and good-hearted people to help Bayelsa.
Economic suffering has begun, according to Diri, who made the appeal to state citizens during a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday morning about the ongoing natural disaster.
He recommended that the Stabilization Fund, Ecological Fund, and Natural Resources Fund be used to fund the special grants to Bayelsa.
The sheer damage of the flood, according to Diri, who has been touring the devastated communities—many of which are submerged—was more than the state administration could handle on its own.
Diri said: “I would want to thank Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for his gracious instruction to the various federal agencies to come to the state’s rescue,” the governor stated. I implore them to quickly abide with the president’s order.
“Without exaggeration, the extent of the destruction exceeds what the state is able to manage on its own. We urgently request the aid of multinational corporations, international donor organisations, the Red Cross, diplomatic missions, and good-willed individuals to save our state.
“I kindly request that you provide the Stabilization Fund, Ecological Fund, and Natural Resources Fund special funds for the state,” Governor Diri said.
“In my opinion, the situation is critical. Over 300 localities with almost a million residents have experienced internal displacement. Sadly, there have been recorded deaths,” he pointed out.
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According to Diri, the same terrible tale of the catastrophe’s devastation and the suffering of the victims played out in Sagbama, Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Kolokuna/Opokuma local government areas.
Diri said, “Businesses have closed, residences have been lost, and farmlands have been ruined. A humanitarian situation exists.
”The state-owned Niger Delta University, Amassoma, the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, as well as other vital facilities including hospitals, roads, bridges, and schools have all been negatively impacted.”
Diri continued: ”The crucial East-West Road, the only route into and out of Bayelsa State between Ughelli and Patani in Delta State and Okogbe and Ahoada in Rivers State, has collapsed in some places as I deliver my speech, cutting the state off entirely from the rest of the nation.
“Economic hardship has emerged as a result of the current shortage of food, medicine, and electricity. The situation is hopeless and deteriorating.”
He said that the State Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, working with the State Emergency Management Agency, had set up camps for internally displaced people and was distributing aid to those affected by the disaster.
“I now order all public employees to get a one-week leave of absence from work, with the exception of those performing critical activities.
“Let me specifically ask the sellers of gasoline, food, water, and medicine not to take advantage of the situation. We have to look out for our brothers,” Governor Diri said.
Diri emphasised that “we are all, first and foremost, Bayelsans” and added that he had ordered that the distribution of the relief supplies be done in an impartial way.
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