The Federal, Bayelsa and Rivers governments have been called to show more concern on the unprecedented heavy flood encountered by the people.

The Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Rivers/Bayelsa Area, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, made the call during the October Management Committee Meeting at the First Baptist Church, Omoku, Headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Elder Ayo-Tamuno who was marveled at the extent of the flood affecting communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states described the flood as the worst compared to that of 2012.

While commending the release of #1 billion by the Rivers State Government, he called on the Bayelsa Government to do same to alleviate the suffering of the citizens.

The Chairman, however, stressed the need for the effective monitoring of fund and relief materials send to victims, saying that in the past such gestures are never sent to the affected people or communities.

The Chairman further stressed the need for sincerity on the part of those in charge of materials or fund meant for them and said “only honest, God fearing and patriotic Nigerians should be given the task to relate with the victims”.

Elder Ayo-Tamuno expressed unhappiness over the statement credited to a Federal Minister, that the flood had not reached the state to declare a state of emergency. He asked: “Is it when all our people are death or affected communities are completely submerged?”

He insisted that “now is the time to act and save our people, tomorrow may be too late”, saying that when passing through Ahoada to Omoku, “one sees a lot of houses, business premises, church buildings, schools, health institutions, farm land and even the roads and streets completely flooded and people are helpless crying for help”.

Elder Ayo-Tamuno then appealed to all stake holders to avoid playing politics with the flood issue, rather “all should come together and find lasting solution to this yearly occurrence that is displaying our people from their ancestry natives homes”.

Update news