Samuel Oyadongha
15 October 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has ordered the immediate evacuation of displaced indigenes of Otuoke, home town of President Goodluck Jonathan in the Ogbia local government area of the state following the sacking of the community by flood.
Investigations revealed that about 85 per cent of the state has been submerged by the rampaging flood with more communities on the verge of being swallowed by flood.
The Otuoke indigenes were sacked by the rampaging flood which in the last three weeks had rendered thousands of people in the state homeless with property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Assessing the level of damage during his visit to the affected areas, the Governor through his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gborubiogha John Jonah (rtd) said the Governor has directed the evacuation of the affected residents to one of the relief camps located in the community.
The evacuation, according to him became imperative due to the hardship facing the natives and the need to avert outbreak of epidemic.
“Government is taking the pro active measure as result of the rising water leve,” he said, adding, that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that the victims bounce back to life, especially those that have lost their means of livelihood to flooding.
He said the government has ordered importation of seedlings in readiness for the next planting season in order to guide against shortage of food.
It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit assured the people, especially the victims of government support to ameliorate their suffering.
