A philanthropist in
Bayelsa, Chief Reuben Okoya on Saturday appealed to the public to assist
flood victims by donating relief materials to cushion the effect of flood on
displaced people.
He said that the victims required rehabilitation even beyond
the flood incident which according to reports is receeding as the water level
was reducing.
Okoya noted that the impact of the flood was beyond what government alone could handle and hence the
call for public support.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the number of
displaced people at not less that 150,000 in Bayelsa.
 |
| A CROSS SECTION OF FLOOD VICTIMS AT THE IGBOGENE IDP CAMP IN YENAGOA |
Chief Okoya made a cash donation of one million naira to be
split
To the victims at IDP camps he visited in Ogbia, Amassoma,
Boro town Kaiama and Igbogone
Okoya noted that he was touched by the pains and sufferings
being experienced by the people caused by the unexpected displacement from
their homes.
He said that the flood water was gradually receding and noted
that the next stage was how the displaced people would go back home and be able
to sustain themselves until they get back on their feet.
“In flood matters, there are pre flood issues, flood issues
and post flood issues. I think we have come to the point where we are dealing
with post flood activities. How do these people go back to their homes that
were flooded?
“If they go back and fall sick, how do they respond? The
private sector needs to come in and help them sort out all these”. Okoya said.
At Ogbia IDP camp where he felicitated with six women who put
to bed at the camp, he promised to do his best to contribute to their up keep and
immediately offered to underwrite the medical bills of some sick children and
elderly.
He commended the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for
coordinating the different camps in the state effectively.
Okoya enjoined medical professionals and other relevant
professionals in the state to render free services in the camps as a way of
contributing to the relief of the people.
“I will try and see if I can meet some doctors and other
medical professionals privately who can visit these camps with some medications
and medical services.
“I am going to organize that with SEMA to ensure that as we
go into post flood activities, everybody will be properly settled and return
home safely without diseases.
“I want to specifically thank SEMA. They have done
excellently well. Today I have taken time to go to Bayelsa East, Bayelsa West
and Bayelsa Central as a private individual to see what is happening.
“It is tough when you see people suffering. In Ogbia we saw
babies being born in the IDP camp. Two were born today. But it is gladdening to
see that government is doing something”. Okoya said
On a permanent solution to the flooding in the state, Okoya an architect said there has to be a holistic approach where
scientific studies would be commissioned for experts to brainstorm and proffer
ideas for workable solution.
He said that there was a need for all drains to be cleared
and kept neat while all natural water ways should be identified and made to
flow uninhibited.
At all the camps visited, officials of SEMA received Okoya
and explained the details of their assignment, while he empathized and
encouraged the victims to be optimistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment