IYC tackle FG over uncharitable conduct towards Bayelsa and Flood victims

Umbrella body of Ijaw Youths Worldwide, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) have watched with keen interest the attitude of the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria led by Sadiya Umar Farouq towards the plight of over a million displaced persons in Bayelsa State and other Niger Delta states.

According to a statement from the National Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, noted that The Ijaw Youths want to place on record that the delayed response and the derogatory claim by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria is insulting, provocative and inhuman towards the people and Government of Bayelsa State.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria claimed that only Four local government councils out of the Eight Local Government councils of the State are affected. When and where did they gather their data to arrive at such insulting and derogatory claim?

For the avoidance of doubt, and in conformity with independent media reports on the humanitarian flood disaster that ravaged Bayelsa in the last three weeks, all the Local Government were impacted with over a million persons displaced and five other local government areas namely Sagbama, Ekeremor, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw initially submerged and later communities in Nembe and Brass where also not speared by the flood.

Instead of focusing on the provisions of relief materials to the people of the state, the FG through NEMA have descended so low to play politics and ignore the basic needs of the people. In support of the position of SEMA, they provided non-basic materials instead of showing compassion to Bayelsan’s in time of their needs.

It is very sad and evident over the attitude of the Multinationals, including, the NNPC Limited under Mala Kieri for not responding to the plight of the Niger delta people. The IYC wants to put it on record that if it were the oil platforms and crude oil pipelines passing through the state were impacted, the response of the FG and the Multinationals would have been desperately and selfishly total.

We are calling on the Oil multinationals to desist from towing the poor line initiated by the Federal Government towards Bayelsa, but focus on implementing their social corporate responsibility in our times of needs. The Ijaw youths are watching and documenting the show of compassion by the state Governments and private organizations. We want to know our friends and our enemies at this trying moment.

The IYC also wants to commend the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri for his show of capacity and compassion during this flood disaster. Despite the neglect by the Federal Government and the so-called Political leaders in Abuja, Gov. Diri’s quick release of funds, mobilization of food and shelter for displaced persons and personally touring and accessing the level of devastation of flood and providing succor that this most critical at this time has earned him a special place in the hearts of Bayelsan’s.

We also want to thank friends of the State that have shown empathy and support thus far. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmauel, Former Governor Seriake Dickson, Hon. Mike Bless Olomu of the APC, Senator Cleopas, Hon. Fred Agbedi, members of the State Assembly, CEO of Azikel Groups, Dr. Eruani Azibepu, State Commissioners, Bayelsa Elders’ Council, the INC and others numerous to mention.

Tife Owolabi
Journalist
Niger Delta
@tifeowolabi