Gov Diri Tells Fresh Problems As Flood Recedes In Bayelsa

His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State today received in audience the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale at his official residence in Government House, Yenagoa.

The visit is in response to several letters the Governor has written to international agencies, cooperate bodies, the federal government, and even NEMA for help in the Bayelsa flooding situation.

“I like to start by saying that I am humbled by your comments at a time when we need help. I think that you have been divinely sent. You are the first to respond to our call. So, we appreciate you as a State Government and as a people, the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

The flood has started receding as we all can see. So, the threat of consuming us is no longer there. The problem now will be the Post-flood management, the recovery from the flood. In our last State Executive Council Meeting, we set up a Post Flood Management Committee which is headed by the Deputy Governor and that committee will look into post-flood management, recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.

What we will appeal to you is the recovery stage and we are very happy with what you have told us. Please, do all that is within your ambit to ensure that this State is seen as number one in terms of recovering from this natural disaster that we have suffered from.

Working with the State and the committee that is being set up, we will strive hard so that our people can get back to their normal lives. It is very difficult for the State Government alone to embark on this recovery stage”, Governor Diri stated.

In response, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Schmale, described the Bayelsa situation as a crisis of major proportion that deserves the attention of everyone.

“No doubt, this is a crisis of major proportion. We need to be very clear. This is a crisis of major proportion that deserves everyone’s attention.”

The Governor received his guests in company of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Dame (Mrs.) Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and other top government functionaries.

Photo Credits: Gabriel Inam Emmanuel