The presidency has deflected criticisms away from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouk, over her recent declaration that Bayelsa State is not in the top 10 of the most flood-affected states in the country.
Recall that Minister had made the claim while appearing at the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week, placing Jigawa State on top of the list and drawing flak from the Niger Delta.
But a statement on Wednesday issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) maintained that this is not the time for reproach.
It admitted: “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 statement observed that the scenes of flooding from Bayelsa State are deeply saddening, adding that the presidency’s thoughts are with victims of, and those affected by, the floods.
“However, calls from some quarters for the resignation of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development are not appropriate in this climate,” the statement said.
The Presidency pointed out that almost every state in Nigeria has been affected as it said the federal government is concerned about what has happened in Bayelsa as it is with respect to the other states.
The statement added: “No life lost is bigger or lesser than that of the others.
“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 its 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 the flood around the country.”
“This is just as more is being expected by way of international response and how much difference can be made by support from businesses and nonprofits as the country deals with its worst flooding in decades.
“We hope that everyone, the agencies of the Federal government, the states and the local councils will increase the attention to pay to the challenges of climate change.
“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.”
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