Friday 12 July 2013

Flooding; Dangote committee to raise N50bn, assures Bayelsa Govt of support


The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flood Reliefs and Rehabilitation Alhaji Aliko Dangote said at the weekend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state that his committee was able to raise N12bn out of its N50bn target, assuring the government of his support in cushioning the effects of the flood on the victims.
Out of the amount raised, the Chairman disclosed that 36 states in the Federation including Federal Capital Territory contributed N1.8bn.
Making this known during his visit to Bayelsa state, Alhaji Dangote said the fund was meant to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims, lamenting over what he described as unquantifiable loss that the state experienced during the period.
Noting the degree of devastation, the Chairman assured the government of his committee's support, disclosing that his committee would not only send relief materials but as well rehabilitate the victims, in terms of provision of social infrastructure.
Calling for the supports of the Committee, corporate organizations and well meaning individuals in the rehabilitation of the victims, the Bayelsa state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson described the state as worst hit, as virtually all the communities in the state were affected.
 His words, Bayelsa state is the real delta of Niger Delta. The state is below sea level. I don’t think there is any state in the Federation that was as affected as Bayelsa state. Our farmlands have been washed away. People have lost their means of livelihood. Public institutions across the state were submerged.
 Lamenting over what he described as incalculable loss, the Governor said the problem confronting the state now was how to rehabilitate the displaced victims.
However, Alhaji Dangote has expressed the readiness to of the committee to work with the State government at ensuring that the victims bounce back to life, adding, “we have seen what happened in Bayelsa State and it is quite touching”.
Alhaji Dangote said in his capacity as the Chairman of Dangote Group, he would visit the state soon and contribute his quota in support of the victims.
 

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

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