BAYELSA FLOOD; GOV DICKSON WARN MANAGERS OF RELIEF CAMPS AGAINST SHARP PRACTICES

BAYELSA FLOOD; GOV DICKSON WARN MANAGERS OF RELIEF CAMPS AGAINST SHARP PRACTICES

 Bayelsa State Government has indicated it’s preparedness to deal decisively with managers of relief camps who are bent on taking advantage of the flood disaster to amass wealth to the detriment of internally displaced persons in the state. Governor Dickson stated this when he visited all the major relief camps in Yenagoa to ascertain how the victims were faring.
 The Governor, who patiently listened to the complaints of the people, also warned miscreants to steer clear from the camps, stressing that marching orders have been issued to security agencies to apprehend and prosecute hoodlums who want to catch in on the emergency situation to perpetrate criminality. Reiterating his administration’s determination to implement its policy on zero tolerance on crime and cultism, Governor Dickson urged Bayelsans not to allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the State to ferment trouble. 

Reacting to complaints about lack of food, Hon. Dickson implored the victims not to expect to have the   kind of comfort they are used to in their homes as Government would not be able to meet individual taste and preferences at a time like this. He however assured them that Government would continue to provide their most pressing needs such as healthcare within the limits of available resources. At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School Camp, Ovom, the Governor urged the victims to appoint two other coordinators comprising a male and female from each of the 8 local government Areas to work hand in hand with the central coordinator to ensure improved management of the camp’s activities.

 Describing the camp as the biggest, Governor Dickson also directed the commissioner for health Dr. Anapurere Awoli to provide functional health facilities in the camp to enhance its sanitary and Health conditions. At the UPE Township school camp which accommodates non-indigenes  and internally displaced persons from Ogbia Local Government Area, Hon. Dickson emphasized that Government will not condone any discriminatory practices in the distribution of relief materials between indigenes and non-Indigenes. 

Acknowledging their support during the February Governorship Election, Governor Dickson assured that his administration will continue to provide the much needed enabling environment for non-indigenes to live and do business in the State. In their separate remarks, the camp coordinators commended Governor Dickson for his show of concern and practical steps taken so far to ameliorate the plight of internally displaced persons. They however pleaded with Government to provide more mattresses, feeding and medical supplies. 
Governor Dickson, who also visited the Samson Siasia Stadium Relief Camp, noted that government was already taking proactive measures to address the post-flood rehabilitation needs of the people.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State