Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed solidarity with floods across the country and charged humanitarian agencies and citizens to help the victims of the disaster find their feet again.
Jonathan, who visited many affected communities in Bayelsa State, including his hometown, Otuoke, issued a statement on his verified Facebook page late Thursday.
He wrote: “I sympathise with the victims of this year’s flood across many states of the federation who have lost loved ones and properties worth millions. The worsening humanitarian crisis in the affected states calls for urgent action and collaboration by all stakeholders.
“I am touched by the dire situation in some of the affected states, especially my home State Bayelsa where almost all the local government areas are submerged in water and the East-West Road section leading to the State has become impassable, creating scarcity of food and essential commodities.
“Today, I visited Otuoke, my community and a few other communities in Bayelsa State to have an assessment of the impact of the flood. It is still a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the disruption and destruction it has caused.
“This is a moment of crisis; we need to work in unity to achieve the goal of giving hope and providing succor to all victims.
“I urge all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected.
– GEJ
Most part of Nigeria is currently battling with flooding, with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund saying that 34 out of the 36 states have been affected and 1.3 million people displaced.
Over 600 people have reportedly lost their lives, and more than 200,000 houses have either been partially or fully damaged.
Recently, the Federal Government announced the approval of emergency management plans to mitigate the impact of the flood nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo told reporters that the government is prepared to make sure that places and communities not affected also get some relief materials.
Sani-Gwarzo explained that the release of the water led to increase in volume of water that Nigeria was taken in.
He added that the release of the water resulted to the flooding, stressing that by the grace of God, the impact would be reduced to the bearest minimum, saying more lives would be saved.
