*Governor (Sen.) Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State explains the state government, through its Taskforce and State Emergency Management Agency, has begun distributing items to cushion the effects of ravaging flooding on citizens of the South-South state in Nigeria

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Disclosing the entire South-South state is now a big Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp, Governor (Sen.) Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State has lamented the ravaging flooding across the state, and several other parts of Nigeria.

Governor Diri said that affirmed that every community in the state is affected by the ravaging.

The governor disclosed development this in an interview on Channels TV, a pre-recorded show monitored Sunday, October 23, 2022, in Lagos.

Diri, expressing concern over the situation, said the state government had converted primary and secondary schools that are not flooded into IDP camps.

He also stated the whole state is now a big IDP camp.

The governor further  explained that centres have been opened particularly in Yenagoa, the capital, to house displaced persons and begin to attend to their needs.

Diri as well explained that the state government, through its taskforce and the State Emergency Management Agency, has begun distributing items to cushion the effect of flooding on the people.

“Every community in Bayelsa is an IDP camp. However in Yenagoa the capital city, we have designated some IDP camps.

“It is not an exaggeration, every community is an IDP camp.

“We have a place called the Oxbow Lake which was used as an event centre.

“That place has been opened for IDPs and we have no less than 2,000 IDPs in that centres.

“We also have all primary and secondary schools that are not yet flooded have been used as an IDP camp,” said he.

The governor stated: “That is why the Taskforce, together with the State Emergency Management Agency keeps distributing foodstuffs to every local government and every community because no community is left out.”

Diri the state government is concerned about the possible outbreak of diseases among the IDPs.

Addressing aftereffects of flooding

Governor Diri also indicated that in addressing the issue, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health had also commenced the distribution of drugs to the people as the situation lasts in the affected areas.

Bayelsa is one of the over 22 states in Nigeria that has been grappling with the issue of flooding recently.

It is noted the flood situation has sacked several people from their homes, and destroyed farmlands, with fears about food security in the West African country.

Besides, the Federal Government, Sunday last week, declared that over 600 persons had died in the recent flooding in Nigeria.

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, tweeted the flood disaster also forced more than 1.3 million from their homes.

Sadiya Umar Farouq, Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, stated: “Unfortunately, over 603 lives have been lost as of today October 16, 2022.”