November 01, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Government has charged community leaders in the state to stop interfering with the distribution of relief materials meant for designated IDP camps located in their communities.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Chairman of the state Flood Management and Mitigation Taskforce, Hon. Iselema Gbaranbiri, gave the charge in Yenagoa, in continuation of the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons in the state.
He said relief materials delivered at the IDP camps are to be managed by authorised persons coordinating such camps or clusters and not community heads, Council of Chiefs or CDC Chairmen.
The Commissioner said the directive becomes necessary because of reports of interference by community leaders with the distribution of items meant for IDPs, which has left the IDPs with little or nothing.
Hon. Gbaranbiri said the task force had earlier distributed relief materials through its sub-committees to various local governments impacted by the flood according to constituencies and wards, adding that arrangements have been made to send another batch of relief materials to all local governments affected by the Flood.
He reiterated the government’s readiness to deal with the impact of the flood and urged residents of the state to be patient with the administration.
The task force, according to the Commissioner, is also reaching out to communities with potable water, mosquito nets and medical services, adding that the process will be a continuous one.
Meanwhile, in continuation of the distribution of relief materials to designated clusters and IDP camps in the state, the task force on Monday, visited the Igbogene IDP camps 1 and 2, Winners’ Chapel Akenpai, Agboli Layout Etegwe, and Community Primary School Okutukutu. The Committee also distributed Palliatives to cluster IDPs camps at Government Secondary school Ovom; St. Peters primary school, Ovum; St. Mathias Church, Amarata; Goodnews Street, Azikoro; Government Secondary school, Azikoro; Akaba/Ogu camps; Persons Living with disability, at Ovom.
Earlier, materials comprising bags of rice, beans, gari, noddles, palm oil, and onion were also delivered to Future Leaders Obele, Obele Phase 2 and 3 as well as Students Union representatives of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
Beneficiaries in also the IDPs have expressed their appreciation to the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his kind gesture and for remembering them in their time of need.
According to the chairman of the PLWD, Mr Eric Ikilowei, they could not thank the governor enough for his humanitarian gesture but assured him they will continue to support his government and will never protest and block roads again because the miracle governor Senator Douye Diri, has been compassionate with them by appointing over twenty of PLWD in his government, which is unprecedented and non-pareil in the history of the state. Also, prayers were offered by the pastor of the Living faith church, Akenpai, to the governor in his political career, especially his second tenure.
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