Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, have both re-echoed the need for quick intervention on the ravaging flood in Bayelsa by the Federal Government.
The duo said that with the magnitude of flood, the state needed assistance from the Federal Government saying the state could not handle the situation alone.
Governor Diri spoke when he received the LP Presidential flagbearer at the Ox-Bow Lake IDP Camp, in Yenagoa, on Saturday.
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He also paid glowing tribute to Mr. Obi for being the first prominent personality to be in Bayelsa State to commiserate with flood victims .
Governor Diri, who received Obi and entourage at the Government House, in Yenagoa, later moved with the team to the major IDPs Camp at the Ox-Bow Lake camp and later embarked on a guided tour of the ravaged sites.
Governor Diri was full of praises and prayers for Mr. Obi for the show of love and empathy to people of the state. He noted, in strong terms, that he was the first prominent personality that had come to the state since the flood started three weeks ago.
Mr. Obi’s gesture, Governor Diri noted, was a sign of a good leader.
His words, “Your Excellency, we don’t have words to thank you. It is not enough to say I want to lead, these are the signs of a good leader .
“A good leader must have affection, a good leader must have compassion. A good leader must exude love.
“We are encouraged today that you have come to empathise with us. You have come to commiserate with us.
“The people of the Ox-Bow Lake camp are all encouraged by your visit,” Governor Diri said.
The governor also said at the IDPs camp that, “I am here with a senior citizen of Nigeria, the first to come and empathise and commiserate with Bayelsans.”
“On behave of the Internally displaced people of Bayelsa State whose homes have been occupied by the landlord called flood, whose homes, and lands have been occupied by flood.”
He further informed the Presidential candidate that
“99% of Bayelsans are living as internally displaced persons.
“Thank God you flew and you have seen for yourself how Bayelsans are living in inhuman conditions .
Governor Diri, however, expressed disgust over the lukewarm attitude of the Federal Government to the plight of the state and asked if Nigeria was still one.
He lamented that in some climes where similar flooding situations occured, prompt attention was given.
The state, he added, was not treated as part of the federating states and asked if the country was still one.
“The last time I checked, Bayelsa state is still one of the federating units in Nigeria.
“While Mr. President has given us hope, I want to thank you for join me to call on the Federal Government to show more empathy, to show love to the people of Bayelsa State from where oil and gas flows in this country.
“I know it was not caused by the federal government neither is it caused by the state government but for nothing, the contribution of Bayelsa State to the Federal Government of Nigeria we expected something better than what we are seeing.”
He, nonetheless, commended the Federal Agencies resident in the state for working hand in hand with the state government since the flood started.
“In particular the security agencies for their cooperation during this trying times, they have been working hand in glove with government of the state to ensure security in our IDP camps to ensure security of lives and properties. They are here with us 24 hours a day.”
“This is the third week Bayelsans have been displaced and this speaks volumes.
“In other climes not even up to one week you are going to see response.
“We still believe in one Nigeria? Please don’t let us change our minds,” threatened Governor Diri.
He added that the extent of damage was beyond what the state can handle alone and yet no response from high quaters up still .
“This is beyond the capacity of the state government.”
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Governor also explained how a natural disaster by way heavy storm de-roofed the facility being used by the IDPs.
“The people of the Ox-Bow Lake camp are all encouraged by your visit .
“This whole roof was taken away by same natural disaster and we have just replaced the roof and we were still reconstructing when the flood occurred and we have stopped the construction work to accommodate the victims of the flood.
“People from all ethnic group’s in Nigeria resident in the state have been displaced by the flood
“As you come to feel what we are feeling. May God grant you your heart desire”.
Mr. Obi who spoke earlier called on the Federal Government and all Agencies responsible for relief materials to assist the state to overcoming the calamity.
According to.lnhim, he was overwhelmed by what he saw both on air while flying in the helicopter and what he saw on land,
He appealed to all Agencies including foreigner donors to assist.
“What I saw both on air and here, you cannot do it alone.
“I am calling on the Federal Government and all agencies that mean well to come to your aid and support Bayelsa.”
“I’m very sad seeing this. I know no state can cope with this. So, I call on the federal government to the aid of Bayelsa State,” he noted in his brief speech which also drew lots of accolades from crowed.
