Flood: Oshiomhole Orders Release of N100m for Relief Materials

 

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Peter Okiria, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Okiria said that the money was released to cushion the effects of the flood on some communities in Etsako Central, and Etsako East local government areas both in Edo North senatorial district.

He said that some communities in Esan-South East Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District, also affected by the flood, would benefit from the largesse.

The statement quoted Oshiomole as assuring the people that the government would embark on a long-term solution to avoid the reoccurrence of the disaster.

The governor, who visited the displaced persons, said the government would liaise with the Federal Government to ensure that relief materials reached them.

He attributed the cause of the flood in which property worth billions of naira were lost, to the River Niger overflowing its banks.

"What has happened is an act of God and no one can challenge the will of God.

``In other parts of the country, we have heard of the loss of lives, but so far, we have not recorded any death.

``Let us pray that the river goes back to its boundary.

``The government we will try as much as possible to reduce the hardship suffered by the people by providing relief materials.

``What we cannot change we will bear; President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government are concerned about this calamity," Okiria quoted the governor as saying.

Oshimole urged the victims to be patient, saying that the calamity would soon be over and they would be able to return to their father land.

``We are sending relief materials which must be shared to everybody irrespective of which political party they belong to.

``Doctors will be sent to treat those who are sick. We are also sending the Comrade Buses to evacuate those still in flooded communities to the camps," he assured.

Reports say that the flood inundated more than 30 communities with a population of over 500,000 people and also destroyed buildings, household property and farmlands in the affected communities.