A Niger-Delta rights activist and ally of President Goodluck Jonathan, Ankio Briggs, has criticised the president’s national broadcast, made on Tuesday morning.

In the broadcast, focused on the floods ravaging several states of the country, the President announced the categorization of flood affected states and the approval of monies to the states. Mr. Jonathan also announced the setting up of a committee to raise funds to address the floods.

Ms. Briggs, who spoke on a Channels Television program, however condemned each of the major decisions announced by Mr. Jonathan.

While speaking on the flood fund committee, Ms. Briggs said “setting up committee now, we are setting up committee now that will do what. The Government does not even know the affected communities.”

The rights activist who has just visited flood ravaged communities in some Niger-delta States like Bayelsa and Rivers also condemned the categorisation of flood ravaged states saying “it is not about categorising states in category A and B. How did they arrive at these categories?”

While talking about the money to be given to the affected states, Ms. Briggs said “it is not about funds. We have money. It is about help. Federal Government, States, Local Governments does not have capacity. We need international help.”



Declare disaster areas

Ms. Briggs said her observation from her visit to the affected communities shows that governments at all levels do not have the capacity to address the flood situation.

“They (governments) don’t have capacity to do anything. Nigeria does not have capacity to run this disaster, to manage this disaster,” she said.

She gave several examples of dire situations flood victims in the Niger Delta are living including living ion house ceilings, living in submerged houses and so on.

Ms. Briggs urged the Federal Government to declare flood ravaged states as disaster areas, and to seek international help in addressing the flood.

She urged the international community and aid agencies to come to the aid of Nigeria over the flooding.

chucky234: The broadcast was absurd and uncalled for,you don't need a national broadcast to disburse funds to flood victims or the affected states.
The president is surrounded by too many clueless goon who earns fat pay for doing nothing other than mislead the president,its a pity.

chucky234: The broadcast was absurd and uncalled for,you don't need a national broadcast to disburse funds to flood victims or the affected states.
The president is surrounded by too many clueless goon who earns fat pay for doing nothing other than mislead the president,its a pity.

karl max: now that u knw how much each state in every category is getting, if ur from one of those state don't u think its ur civil responsibility to find out when the states get these funds and how they put it in good use to achieve its objective? Now that he made the amount they are releasing to the states public for every one to hear and monitor how it is been spent by the states ur complaining!if he makes it a secret too and give it to the states without making it public people like u would still criticise him WHY because ur are paid to criticise this government.people like u would always criticise any effort made by this government to transform and change the way the country is been governed!between the fund the FG is releasing is a public fund why should he not announce it publicly?the presidents broadcast is meant for the affected flood victims not a paid internet critics like you,they need to knw how much the FG released and they can monitor how the fund is been used to help their situation.or are u bitter that the amount ur oga would get for this flood disaster has been made public!!

skyfall: Confused president. That's his habit of throwing money at every problem. No plan to solve the underlying cause. M.U.M.U!

And what's with Ankio Briggs. I thought Jonathan was their son. Bunch of primitives.

taharqa:

eediot. Did you read or watch the speech, eh Mr.eediot?

chucky234: The broadcast was absurd and uncalled for,you don't need a national broadcast to disburse funds to flood victims or the affected states.
The president is surrounded by too many clueless goon who earns fat pay for doing nothing other than mislead the president,its a pity.

toyo C: He's definitely trying to divert our attention from something..only God know what.

toyo C
He's definitely trying to divert our attention from something..only God know what.