Our thoughts are with victims of floods

The Presidency has stated that its thoughts are with victims of, and those affected by the recent floods.

It was as it said that there is no time for reproach as the Federal Government is working hard to salvage the situation.

The Presidency, in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday, was responding to calls from some quarters for the resignation of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, over her statement that Bayelsa was not among the ten states worst affected by floods.

Shehu said the calls were not appropriate in this climate, noting that the FG is concerned about what has happened in Bayelsa as it is with respect to the other states.

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He said the Minister has so far plugged the gaps in several state governments’ disaster responses.

The Presidency explained, “The Federal Government is concerned about what has happened in Bayelsa as it is with respect to the other states. No life lost is bigger or lesser than that of the others.

“The challenge of bringing succour to a large number of the displaced people in Bayelsa and other states, the restoration of their damaged property and farmlands washed away have clearly overwhelmed disaster management efforts so far but that is not to say no efforts are being made.

“The huge need for everything from foodstuff to tents, blankets and mosquito nets; antimalarial and other drugs clearly indicate that more resources are needed,  not only by the disaster management agencies at the centre but also by those at the State and local council levels that are structural, the first responders.

“The Minister has been diligently working to target assistance where it is most needed and plug the gaps in several state governments’ disaster responses.

“The state of Bayelsa has done commendably well but they certainly can do better with increased Federal assistance, which is still being delivered batch by batch.

“All these efforts are coming ahead of the report of the committee under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum, set up by the President to fashion out solutions and then escalate their conclusions to the Federal Government, to alleviate the plight of people currently being ravaged by floods around the country.

“Clearly, this is not a time for public reproach. It will only weaken our collective response to the tragedy, and ultimately hinder cooperation that saves lives and delivers emergency aid.

“The government at the centre will continue to do more for Bayelsa and for all states so affected as more and more resources are made available to agencies dealing.”