•••DESCRIBES SITUATION AS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS O
•••CALLS FOR URGENT HELP FOR VICTIMS
Former president Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday visited his country home of Otueke, Ogbia which was submerged by flood like other communities in Bayelsa State.
The flood has resulted in the death of over 600 people and rendered over three million Nigerians homeless, including their farmlands and properties.
Jonathan described the effects of the flood in his community as a moment of crisis adding that everyone needs to work in unity to achieve the goal of giving hope and providing succor to all victims.
The former president in emotional laden tone, reiterated that the incident is an unfortunate situation and that there was urged need to unite in sympathy with the victims.
The former President, who was in his native Otueke, paid visit to other communities in Bayelsa State to have an assessment of the impact of the flood.
He stated that it was still a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the and destruction it has caused.
According to Jonathan, the worsening humanitarian crisis in the affected states calls for urgent action and collaboration by all stakeholders.
“I sympathize with the victims of this year’s flood across many states of the federation who have lost loved ones and properties worth millions.
“The worsening humanitarian crisis in the affected states calls for urgent action and collaboration by all stakeholders.
“I am touched by the dire situation in some of the affected states, especially my home State Bayelsa where almost all the local government areas are submerged in water and the East-West Road section leading to the State has become impassable, creating scarcity of food and essential commodities.
“Today, I visited Otuoke, my community and a few other communities in Bayelsa State to have an assessment of the impact of the flood. It is still a depressing situation in many of the affected communities because of the magnitude of the flood and the disruption and destruction it has caused.
“This is a moment of crisis; we need to work in unity to achieve the goal of giving hope and providing succor to all victims.
“I urged all citizens of goodwill and humanitarian agencies to demonstrate solidarity with these victims and provide support to those affected.” He stated.
