Bayelsa flood victims decry poor distribution of relief materials

AS the distribution of relief materials to people displaced by flood commences in Bayelsa State, victims are beginning to groan over what they described as ill-treatment by the government.

Some of the victims that spoke to TribuneOnline said they suspect that officials saddled with the responsibility to distribute the relief items may have diverted part of it brought relief materials that would not last them one day.

According to a flood victim, Mr Thomas Seibido, who was at the distribution point in Sagbama town to receive relief items for his community, each community was allotted two bags of rice, one bag of garri and a 20 litre can of palm.

He said many community representatives at the centre protested against the rationing formula but that all their complains fell on deaf ears.

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However, the state commissioner for information, Mr Iworiso Markson, in a statement said the state government has released the sum of N50 million naira to support victims of the flood and that government is doing all it can to reach out to all those affected by the flood.

He further explained that the state government has closed down schools, urged victims to use the school facilities as temporary camp for easy access to government support.

But another flood victim, Mr Arthur Logi, from Ogbia said “government may have released the money but the biggest challenge, however, would be those assigned to do the distribution would divert the relief materials. That is what we suffered in 2012.”