The Bayelsa State government has recently accused members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of diverting federal palliative items intended for flood victims in the region. At a press briefing in Government House, Yenagoa, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, revealed that the state had received various relief items from the Federal Ministry of Regional Development. While she did not specify the amount that allegedly went missing, she indicated that the items were delivered to the state on the previous Saturday, prompting the government to issue a public statement about the situation.
According to Koku-Obiyai, the items received included 2,000 bags of 50 kg rice, six bags of 50 kg beans, 150 cartons of spaghetti, and several other essential goods like mosquito nets, toiletries, and cooking appliances. The state government emphasized that these figures were insufficient to adequately support those affected by recent floods. During the press conference, she expressed concern about the transparency of the distribution, highlighting that the amount of rice alone was inadequate for even a single ward or constituency. This assertion underscores the state’s struggles in effectively addressing the immediate needs of flood victims amid the ongoing crisis.
In addition to the physical supplies, Koku-Obiyai noted that Bayelsa had previously received N3 billion from the Federal Government designated for flood relief efforts. She asserted that these funds had been utilized to conduct outreach to flood-impacted communities, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to aiding the victims through various forms of assistance. However, she pointed out that, despite these efforts, rumors of additional supplies being misappropriated by APC stakeholders raised concerns about the integrity of the aid distribution process.
The APC’s response to these accusations came from its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Coronation Tokpo, who labeled Koku-Obiyai’s claims as baseless. Tokpo asserted that federal palliatives are allocated to states, not political parties, thereby dismissing the notion that APC members could have diverted the relief items. He further claimed that members of his party had previously been excluded from receiving benefits associated with the distribution of palliatives, suggesting that state practices have been politically motivated and not aligned with equitable distribution of relief.
Amidst this political back-and-forth, Koku-Obiyai urged Bayelsans to recognize the source of the upcoming palliative distribution planned by the state government, indicating that the government would be sharing its received items with vulnerable populations during the festive season. She aimed to clarify any misconceptions regarding the origins of the relief items, ensuring that the public understands the state government’s role in the distribution process and the limitations they are facing with respect to the available resources.
Overall, this situation illustrates the complexities and challenges the Bayelsa State government faces in managing relief efforts for flood victims, compounded by political rivalries and allegations of misappropriation. The difficult task of accommodating the needs of affected citizens while navigating accusations and political narratives requires careful attention to transparency and governance. As plans for further assistance unfold, the need for accountability and equitable distribution will be crucial in rebuilding trust with the affected communities in Bayelsa State.
