November 14, 2024.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided essential relief materials to flood victims in Biseni Kingdom, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the relief items handover on Wednesday, 13 November, 2024, Dr Adebiyi Babatunde Razaq, South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, representing the NEMA Director-General, Dr Zubaida Umar, said the aid is directed towards supporting families who have been displaced by the recent flooding in the region.
Dr Razaq stated, “We are here today to deliver relief items approved by NEMA’s Director-General to aid victims of the flood disaster that affected the community, forcing many to seek refuge in the six IDP camps around Yenagoa. We are representing the Federal Government here in Bayelsa State.”
Dr Adebiyi Babatunde Razaq
The South-South Zonal Coordinator explained that the relief materials to be distributed included bags of rice, garri, cartons of vegetable oil, cartons of seasoning cubes, bath towels, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, iron beds, plastic buckets, plastic plates, spoons, and cups, diapers, sanitary pads, and other essentials, which were allocated to the six Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the area.
Present at the distribution of relief materials in Biseni were representatives from the Bayelsa State Government, the Governor’s Special Representative Hon. Zuwa Konugah, the Mayor of Yenagoa Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr. Aziwe Ayii. Also in attendance were the Rural Development Authority (RDA) Chairman for Kordia/Zarama/ Biseni, Hon. Mrs. Angela Akpana Richard, HRM Akile Peter—the Paramount Ruler of the Biseni Clan, the Paramount ruler of the Akperetoru community, Chief Freeman Ovuru, and other traditional leaders of the Clan.
While Rural Development Authority (RDA) Chairman Hon. Mrs Angela Akpana Richard was full of praises to NEMA for the quick relief intervention, she said the items will go a long way towards providing succour to the IDPs and beneficiaries.
In his remarks, Mayor Ndiwari thanked the Federal Government for its commitment, and commented on the sharing formula for the relief items noting; “The items will be shared based on the number of communities, with each community’s representatives responsible for ensuring they reach those who need them most.”
He added that community development committee members will ensure that the relief supplies get to the victims. “We have chiefs, CDC members, and youth leaders on the ground to ensure a fair distribution.”
Hon. Ndiwari, representing the Bayelsa State Government, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “This shows that the Biseni community is recognised as part of Nigeria, with the Federal Government acknowledging their plight.”
Chief Freeman Ovuru the Paramount Ruler of Akperetoru community, thanked the government for the timely intervention. He acknowledged the critical need for assistance, saying, “Our people have faced a lot of hardship this season. We are glad that NEMA is here to assist us at this difficult time.” Emphasizing the significance of the supplies, he continued, “These relief materials will go a long way, helping both in food and financial support.”
The Paramount Ruler further highlighted the community’s sharing plan iterating that “The 13 communities in the region are represented here by their leaders. Once the materials are offloaded, the community chiefs will organize fair distribution, ensuring each community receives its share and that the items reach those who need them most.”
Dr Razaq emphasized that the distribution is NEMA’s initial response to the crisis, with hopes for further collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government to aid flood victims.
Similarly, BASEMA’s Director of Operations, Mr. Aziwe Ayii, expressed appreciation to NEMA and reassured the community of continued support. “The Federal Government and State Governor have shown they care for the flood victims and Bayelsa residents,” he remarked, noting that the distribution of relief supplies reaffirms the commitment to ongoing relief efforts in the region.
