Flood: One million displaced as Gov Diri approves breaks for civil servants

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday said that so far, one million residents have been displaced by the ongoing flood which has created a humanitarian crisis beyond the capacity of the state.

The governor announced a one-week break for civil servants except those on essential duties.

Diri who stated these in a radio broadcast regretted that the state teaching hospital and two state-owned universities have been forced by the flood to shut down.

He empathised with the people and saluted their courageous disposition as they grappled with the natural disaster.

The governor appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assist the state with grants from the ecological funds adding that the sole access to the East-West Road has been cut off on several points making road transport to Bayelsa impossible.

The public power supply is cut as a safety measure as most distribution transformers and stations are already submerged.

Also, fuel stations that have since run out of fuel are not able to bring in fuel by road leaving residents to resort to illegal refineries which ate being clamped down by the renewed fight against oil theft.

The exorbitant cost of petrol which stands at between N700 and N800 naira for one litre has led to a more than 100 per cent increase in transport fares while small businesses like barbers have jerked up the cost of their services.

The blockade caused by the flood has also triggered a general scarcity of food, and manufactured products including beverages and medicines forcing prices to hit the rooftops.

The situation has also taken a negative toll on telecommunications services leading to limited data and voice services as many base stations have run out of fuel.