…Govt. seeks FG’s partnership in fight against flood
Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Following the ravaging flood in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, has been temporarily closed down.
The ravaging flood into the hospital’s came to a threatening dimension, on Tuesday, when it took over the first gate leading into the premises as the second gate was being used.
But as, at Wednesday, major parts of the hospital’s premises were enveloped by the flood.
A Senior Nurse who spoke to The Nigerian Xpress, in Yenagoa, confirmed that the hospital has been temporarily closed, while patients there have been referred to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Yenagoa.
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The Nurse also said that patients in stable ones have been discharged from the hospital.
When asked about the faith of the patients in the hospital, the source said, -“The patients have been referred out to FMC and the stable ones discharge home”.
When contacted, Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Prof. Dimie Ogoina, , claimed he was out of town, but he confirmed the closure of the facility.
He also said that arrangements were on top gear to see that the patients are in suitable place in Yenagoa.
“The hospital is currently closed because of the flood. Arrangements are ongoing to see our patients in suitable in Yenagoa town,” Prof. Ogoina stated in a SMS message in response to questions on effects of the flood.
In a similar development, Governor Douye Diri has appealed to the Federal Government for partnership for the construction of a dam as a permanent solution to flood menace in the state.
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The governor, who spoke on Wednesday, during the 90th State Executive Council Meeting held inside the Executive Chambers of Government House, in Yenagoa, called on the Federal Government to partner the state in working out a permanent solution to the flood by considering a dam to contain the water.
Governor Diri also sympathised with flood-ravaged communities and victims.
He said that his government felt the pains and suffering of communities and individuals affected by the flood in the state.
Governor Diri, however, assured that the state government wold give top priority to alleviating the suffering of victims.
He stressed that it was his concern for the victims that necessitated the setting up of the task force on flooding, which has already visited more than 100 impacted communities.
Confirming the loss of two lives so far in homes and communities ravaged by the flood, the governor noted that the state’s aquatic nature made it heavily impacted as available reports indicate that comparatively this year’s flood would be worse than that of 2012.
His words, “Let me assure our brothers and sisters that have been heavily impacted that while we pray the flood abates soon, your government will also do the needful as we have set up a committee during the previous state executive council meeting.
“The committee has been working tirelessly and it will present a report today on what they have done so far. From that, I believe that some succour will come from your state government.
“I also like to salute the courage of Bayelsans in the face of the ravaging floods. Homes and communities have been sacked. Our people are now living as IDPs (internally displaced persons). We have also recorded a few deaths and destruction of property due to the flood.
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“The flood might not be new to us as a people as we also pride ourselves as being aquatic. However, the ratio of this year’s flood comparatively appears to be the highest. The report I have just received suggest that this would go beyond the 2012 floods.
“Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters that have been severely impacted. Each and everyone of us, either directly or indirectly, have been impacted by the flood,” said governor.
Governor Diri further appealed to well-meaning citizens of the state to also come to the aid of victims of the disaster.
