The Presidency has described calls from some quarters for the resignation of the Minister of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development Sadiya farouq over her comments on the flood situation in Bayelsa state as irrelevant.
The Presidency explained that the Minister has been working diligently to provide assistance where it is mostly needed and plug the gaps in several state affected by the floods.
Also Read: FG outlines interventions to mitigate food disruptions occasioned by flooding in Nigeria.
The humanitarian affairs Minister had last week during the 56th session of the weekly State House briefing in Abuja said Bayelsa State, which is reeling under floods, was not among the 10 most hit states.
But in a statement issued by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity garba shehu on Wednesday, The Presidency said, this is not a time for public reproach which it says will only weaken the collective response to the tragedy, and ultimately hinder cooperation that would save lives and deliver emergency aid.
It stated that the scenes of flooding from Bayelsa state are deeply saddening and the government thoughts are with victims and those affected by the floods.
The Presidency noted that almost every state in Nigeria has been affected and the Federal Government is concerned about what has happened in Bayelsa as it is with respect to the other states, saying No life lost is bigger or lesser than that of the others.
It added that the challenge of bringing succour to the large number of displaced people in Bayelsa and other states, the restoration of their damaged property and farmlands washed away have clearly overwhelmed disaster management efforts so far but that is not to say no efforts are being made.
The Presidency noted that Bayelsa state has done commendably well but could do better with increased Federal assistance, which is still being delivered batch by batch.
The statement concluded that the government at the center will continue to do more for Bayelsa and for all states so affected as more and more resources are made available to agencies responsible for disaster management.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
