The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) has flagged off the distribution of the presidential palliatives to Bayelsans impacted by last year’s flood.
Speaking at the flag off and handing over of the palliatives to the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and the Bayelsa, State Emergency Management Agency, (BYSEMA) for distribution to the victims, the Permanent Secretary, MNDA, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi, in Bayelsa, said that the palliatives was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, in his concern and love for the people of the Niger Delta to alleviate the challenges that came with the devastating flood.
Adebiyi further said the relief materials approved for distribution include social relief care packs which includes mattresses, pillows, blankets, cooking pots amongst others.
The nutritional packs, which includes cartons of noodles, bags of rice, garri and beans, others include, livelihood items such as grinding machines, sewing machines, hair clippers; and building materials, like cement, roofing sheets, and ceiling boards.
He said communities local government areas highly impacted by the effect of the flood were identified by NEMA through the Needs Assessment they conducted after the flood.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represened by the Director of Economic Empowerment, MNDA, Philip Ndiomu, added that it is the identified communities and LGAs that have been earmarked to be given these relief items in order to rehabilitate the people.
He said the distribution exercise is the first phase, noting that the implementation of the second phase will also commence very soon, once this phase is concluded.
He said: “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 by its destructive effect on the livelihood of the people and 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 loses as a result of the flood.
“However, it is our candid believe that the relief items will help alleviate the burden currently faced by our people.
“Let me also state that this gesture is not just a physical distribution of materials rather, it represents the compassion and empathy of the government towards 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 officers and security personnel have been assigned to monitor the distribution exercise to ensure that these 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 irregularities,” he said.
In his remark, the Assistant Chief Search and Rescue officer, NEMA, Mr Fortunatus Anyanwu, said the agency will ensure that the items are well distributed to the victims accordingly.
The Chairman of Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, BYSEMA, Mr Walaman Igrubia, in his remark, commended the MNDA for donating the palliatives to cushion the effects of the 2022, and call on other government agencies and ministries to also follow suit.
He said: “Although, this will be not be enough for everybody that is affected by the flood but it will go a long way in alleviating suffering that was gotten from the flood.
“We understand that the government is winding down but such gesture should be a continuous thing,” he said.