From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded the resignation of the Minister for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over her comments downplaying the flood disaster in Bayelsa State.
The IYC in a press statement by its spokesman, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe while noting that the Ijaw people have received the message from Ms Farouq with reservations said it is joining calls for her resignation having failed in her responsibility to manage the flood disaster across the country, especially in Bayelsa State.
Erekefe who accused Ms Farouq of politicizing the flood disaster with the failure to send relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state said her “unguided, uninformed and provocative statements” have added to the trauma of flood victims in the state.
The statement read in part: “In the data provided, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) corroborated the cry of the people and the State with the facts that over one million persons affected with 96 deaths recorded so far. A total of 1,344,014 persons have so far been directly affected by this year’s ravaging flood in Bayelsa State.
“In the spreadsheet as at last Friday, 4th November, ninety-six (96) deaths have so far been recorded with Yenagoa LGA posting the highest fatality figure.
“We want to also commend the officials of SEMA led by Hon. Walamam Samuel Igrubia, for the collation of data from the field. It is also important that the State provide the figures on the number of affected farmlands, school buildings, health structures and other facilities.
“The entire State has been under water with all schools, including the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Niger Delta Teaching Hospital, Federal University, Otuoke, University of Africa, Toru-Orua and Federal Polytechnic Ekowe closed down.
“In view of this gross and disgraceful misconduct and dereliction of duty, we want to join millions of Niger Delta people by asking the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to resign her appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”