Bayelsa floods: Buhari directs agencies to offer ‘all needed assistance’

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked agencies responsible for handling emergency response to ensure support reaches Bayelsa communities affected by flooding.

As in several other parts of the country, flooding has wreaked havoc on communities across the state, leading to killings and displacement of many people.

Duoye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, had recently asked the federal government for urgent intervention, adding that his house was also affected.

Earlier on Sunday, Edwin Clark, Ijaw national leader, had accused the federal government of not doing enough for communities in the Niger Delta.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, the Buhari expressed concern over the development in Bayelsa.

“President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday expressed sadness at the devastation caused by floods in Bayelsa State. He extended the nation’s condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by this natural disaster,” the statement reads.

“According to released reports by the State Government, 700,000 persons have been displaced in about 300 communities and villages in five of the State’s eight local government areas that were submerged in water due to rains causing the floods.

“While the authorities in the State are taking steps to help people hit by the floods, the President has directed that all federal agencies dealing with rescue and disaster management offer all needed assistance to Bayelsa.

“President Buhari blamed buildings on water channels, disregard for early warning by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the changes to weather caused by climate change as chiefly to blame for the floods that have so far hit 33 of the nation’s 36 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory which has not been spared either.

“The President also directed all concerned to work for the restoration of normalcy throughout the affected parts of the federation.”