- The distribution of palliatives was highlighted as part of the commission’s strategy to alleviate the impact of flooding on the state’s residents
The Niger Delta Development Commission has taken steps to support flood-prone communities in the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State.
In a statement released by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, the distribution of palliatives was highlighted as part of the commission’s strategy to alleviate the impact of flooding on the state’s residents.
During the handover of these relief materials in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State’s capital, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the NDDC, emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the people due to recurring floods. Represented by Dr. Week Doodei, the NDDC Director of Procurement, and Godknows Alamieyeseigha, the Director of the Bayelsa State Office of the Commission, Ogbuku reiterated the aim of assisting communities in managing their difficulties.
Expressing empathy for the flood victims, Ogbuku stressed the irreparable losses suffered by these communities, affirming the NDDC’s dedication to supporting the Niger Delta region and striving to alleviate the hardships faced by its people.
“We assure you that the NDDC has very good programmes for the people of the Niger Delta region and as many people as possible will benefit from the distribution of the palliatives.”
He urged community representatives in the flood-hit areas to judiciously distribute the materials, which included food and household items, farm inputs, and livelihood items such as canoes, fishing nets, and hooks, among others, to ensure that flood victims had something to fall back on after their losses.
He added, “The NDDC is not only about building roads and physical infrastructure. We also intervene in social services.
“We will monitor the distribution of these palliatives to ensure that they get to the affected areas. This intervention will take place in all the NDDC mandate states because the Commission was set up to address situations such as this.”
The NDDC boss appealed to the benefiting community leaders to ensure that the items got to the vulnerable people in their areas, warning that hoarding and diversion of the items would not be tolerated.