Come To Our Aid, Alaibe Begs FG, Oil Companies

Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Mr. Timi Alaibe has appealed to the federal government and oil companies to come to the aid of communities submerged by flood.

Alaibe stated that “Bayelsa is an oil and gas producing state. Inside its belly is the treasure of Nigeria. It is the legendary goose that bears the golden egg. This is its moment of need. Both the oil companies, their affiliates and the federal government must come to the rescue of Bayelsa people.

“As individuals, we are doing the best we can to help our people in the areas of food and accommodation. But this is like a drop in the ocean of need. There is no doubting the fact that we need help at a massive level. The state government can hardly contain this situation alone. We need a massive federal might and international agencies intervention.

“While we cherish the usual deployment of relief materials at times like this, this can only grant temporary succour. There is a need to seek a permanent solution to this problem. This devastation is not caused merely by heavy downpour. Several people, in and outside the government, know the source of this flood. The Federal Government has to employ exceptional diplomatic and business skills to halt this menace so that it doesn’t reoccur.”

He insisted that Bayelsa State is under attack. There is no pretence about that. These attacks cut across party lines and ethnic groupings. This is a case for national emergency and not merely an expression of sympathy. It is not business as usual. The state government is doing its best but we need more help.

Those who have narrowly escaped this catastrophe are homeless. They have no place to sleep. Some are sick but cannot be treated, because our hospitals no longer exist.

In all the years we have faced this kind of destruction, every year always presents a worst-case scenario. This year seems to be the very worst. We have never witnessed it at this level before, not in my lifetime. And before next year comes with something worse than the worst, it’s time to wake up. Several communities have been completely flooded. Our roads have been submerged. Several buildings are now the water.

Bayelsa is naturally a water-logged state. This kind of terrain serves as a natural attraction to flood, and requires that something sustainable be done to remedy the situation.

Alaibe continued that with proper planning and implementation, this same water that is destroying the region can be turned into a huge economic resource and employment opportunities for Nigerians. Every avenue must be explored and exploited to end this scourge.

According to Alaibe, “Bayelsa State is not an exception. Several states and communities within the Niger Delta region have come under this devastation this season. No one is safe in these circumstances. A massive land mass of the Niger Delta has been decimated.”

Alaibe lamented that schools have been destroyed. Churches have been swept away. Hospitals with patients and staff have come under attack and destruction. Farmlands have become mere memories. At the peak of the flood, our local airport and the Niger Delta University were rendered inaccessible until government initiated moves to restore the over-flooded section of Yenagoa Amassoma Road.

The former NDDC boss maintained that those who have died do not deserve to die. It could have been you and I. Without any fault of theirs, they have died an avoidable and painful death. Some of the corpses have not been traced. Those that have been traced cannot even be buried. It’s water and more water everywhere.

“But to the people of Bayelsa State, I sympathise with you. We have lost our fathers, mothers and children. We have lost our houses and properties. In fact, we have lost most of what we value most both human and material. Government properties and individual investments have been destroyed. But we must not lose hope,” Alaibe consoled the victims.

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