President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, said the government was concerned about resettling the flooded communities and averting looming food scarcity.

Jonathan, who was taken round the flooded communities in Bayelsa State in an aircraft in company with the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said the Ministry of Agriculture had been directed to map out strategies against the impending scarcity.

He spoke in Yenagoa before visiting the relief camp for flood victims at the Sports Complex, observing that the flooding had dealt a big blow on the country’s food production.

He said, “But our main interest is how they will survive when the flood goes down. All their crops and farmlands are flooded and in most cases even their seedlings, suckers and cassava cuttings must have been destroyed by the flood. We are looking at different options.”

One of the options being considered by the government, he said was importing scarce food items and supplying them to the affected areas.

He said another alternative was to look for species of crops that would mature within a short period after planting.

He added, “Something like maize that takes about three months to mature, we are looking at how we can get the ones that will mature in 60 days.  We are also looking for the rice that will endure some level of flooding. These are the areas the Ministry of Agriculture is working on.”

He said the government believed that constructing additional dams would minimise the impacts of flooding in the future.

He explained that unlike the 1969 flooding when water from the River Niger overran many communities, the bulk of the water that resulted in the present disaster came from the River Benue.

He argued that the Shiroro and Kainji Dams, which were constructed after the 1969 disaster, were able to contend with upsurge of water from the River Niger.

He said the dearth of dams in the Benue axis aggravated the disaster, adding that there was an urgent need for the government to construct dams in the area.

He said it was difficult for any government to plan for natural disasters like flooding, noting that government could only plan for other forms of disasters like the ones that occur in the aviation sector.

He said, “Flooding is not something very common. The last big flood that we experienced in this country was 43 years ago. It is difficult to build an infrastructure to intervene. I have noticed that the flooding we used to experience before came from the River Niger.

“With the completion of the Kainji Dam and the Shiroro Dam, that flooding reduced. This year, when I visited Kogi State and we went to the confluence point, we were told that the bulk of the water came in from Benue.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/survival-of-flood-victims-our-concern-jonathan/

Hmmm

“But our main interest is how they will survive when the flood goes down. All their crops and farmlands are flooded and in most cases even their seedlings, suckers and cassava cuttings must have been destroyed by the flood. We are looking at different options.”

This is my worry!

If your sharp, start stocking up on things like rice garri and beans. Cos this will be the first time nigeria will experience a bit of a food scarcity and high cost of feeding.

such issue is supposed to be a priority to any leader. the FG should factor strategies aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of those affected by the disaster.

Itohen: President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, said the government was concerned about resettling the flooded communities and averting looming food scarcity.

Jonathan, who was taken round the flooded communities in Bayelsa State in an aircraft in company with the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said the Ministry of Agriculture had been directed to map out strategies against the impending scarcity.

He spoke in Yenagoa before visiting the relief camp for flood victims at the Sports Complex, observing that the flooding had dealt a big blow on the country’s food production.

He said, “But our main interest is how they will survive when the flood goes down. All their crops and farmlands are flooded and in most cases even their seedlings, suckers and cassava cuttings must have been destroyed by the flood. We are looking at different options.”

One of the options being considered by the government, he said was importing scarce food items and supplying them to the affected areas.

He said another alternative was to look for species of crops that would mature within a short period after planting.

He added, “Something like maize that takes about three months to mature, we are looking at how we can get the ones that will mature in 60 days.  We are also looking for the rice that will endure some level of flooding. These are the areas the Ministry of Agriculture is working on.”

He said the government believed that constructing additional dams would minimise the impacts of flooding in the future.

He explained that unlike the 1969 flooding when water from the River Niger overran many communities, the bulk of the water that resulted in the present disaster came from the River Benue.

He argued that the Shiroro and Kainji Dams, which were constructed after the 1969 disaster, were able to contend with upsurge of water from the River Niger.

He said the dearth of dams in the Benue axis aggravated the disaster, adding that there was an urgent need for the government to construct dams in the area.

He said it was difficult for any government to plan for natural disasters like flooding, noting that government could only plan for other forms of disasters like the ones that occur in the aviation sector.

He said, “Flooding is not something very common. The last big flood that we experienced in this country was 43 years ago. It is difficult to build an infrastructure to intervene. I have noticed that the flooding we used to experience before came from the River Niger.

“With the completion of the Kainji Dam and the Shiroro Dam, that flooding reduced. This year, when I visited Kogi State and we went to the confluence point, we were told that the bulk of the water came in from Benue.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/survival-of-flood-victims-our-concern-jonathan/

We are concern. We have also set up a committee. No cause for alarm, bla bla bla

Four farmers in Kogi State have committed suicide as a result of losses they incurred due to flood just as thousands of others have been displaced. President Goodluck Jonathan who disclosed this yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital while undertaking a tour of the areas affected by flood encouraged the Internally Displaced People, IDPs, in Bayelsa State not to give up hope, assuring that the Federal Government was committed to rehabilitating them.

He stated this in one of IDPs camps at Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Speaking in Yenagoa, President Jonathan said, “In Kogi State, four farmers committed suicide because they borrowed money from the bank to buy seeds and flood came and destroyed it. So because they were scared they committed suicide. I was also in a place in Kogi, where a storey building was under water.


“People that are not in IDP are the people always struggling for relief materials. This flood is all over the world, Asia, Europe, I know that Nigeria flooding is bad. And when we have such disaster food is not the problem, do not make food your priority. “If you eat once, thank God, I know that none of you would die of hunger here. Before the middle of November, the water would have receded.”

http://www..com/ng/security-military-and-para-military-forces/20490-four-farmers-commit-suicide-over-flood-disaster-in-kogi.html#post30396

Gej and his diversion tactics! He caused the flood to shift our attention from the major issues affecting us. Gej started and is stil runing boko haram, Gej caused the pension fund scam, subsidy scam, bakasi dilema. Hell! Gej killed those Aluu4, started the fuel scarcity, increase in power tarif, wrote Achebe's biafra brief and is responsible for patience's strange sicknes, all in a bid to divert our attention from the major national issues. Afterall, he doesnt giv a damn!
#what are u waiting for? Hit the insult boton!

Ɣ hasn't he visited crisis areas esp Jos, Yobe & Borno

The Biggest Joke of a Leader

Retarded Mofo

ujchief: Gej and his diversion tactics! He caused the flood to shift our attention from the major issues affecting us. Gej started and is stil runing boko haram, Gej caused the pension fund scam, subsidy scam, bakasi dilema. Hell! Gej killed those Aluu4, started the fuel scarcity, increase in power tarif, wrote Achebe's biafra brief and is responsible for patience's strange sicknes, all in a bid to divert our attention from the major national issues. Afterall, he doesnt giv a damn!
#what are u waiting for? Hit the insult boton!

Our friend has gone mad again

ujchief: Gej and his diversion tactics! He caused the flood to shift our attention from the major issues affecting us. Gej started and is stil runing boko haram, Gej caused the pension fund scam, subsidy scam, bakasi dilema. Hell! Gej killed those Aluu4, started the fuel scarcity, increase in power tarif, wrote Achebe's biafra brief and is responsible for patience's strange sicknes, all in a bid to divert our attention from the major national issues. Afterall, he doesnt giv a damn!
#what are u waiting for? Hit the insult boton!

Some of you kids think NL is all about seeking cheap popularity. This is not a 2go chat forum. Some of these issues are serious issues involving life and death. The way serious issues are being trivialized here is pathetic. I know Seun might like the traffic but the overall perception of an online platform is also important. Just ny thought.

lacasa: Ɣ hasn't he visited crisis areas esp Jos, Yobe & Borno

The Biggest Joke of a Leader

Retarded Mofo

I have never seen anywhere in the world where a sitting president visits an insurgency zone! Not even sitting military generals do that. I don't know what you are yapping about

GEJ to the people.

thelastPope:

Some of you kids think NL is all about seeking cheap popularity.

quit stalking me!

ujchief: Gej and his diversion tactics! He caused the flood to shift our attention from the major issues affecting us. Gej started and is stil runing boko haram, Gej caused the pension fund scam, subsidy scam, bakasi dilema. Hell! Gej killed those Aluu4, started the fuel scarcity, increase in power tarif, wrote Achebe's biafra brief and is responsible for patience's strange sicknes, all in a bid to divert our attention from the major national issues. Afterall, he doesnt giv a damn!
#what are u waiting for? Hit the insult boton!

Abi? Do u know that a basin of garri is 5k? While a cup is 100naira.

Until we stop casting unneccessary blames on Gej and take up responsibilities naija will neva grow.

I remembered when Gov. Ameachi was demolishing illegal structures in d state, even d price of orange went up as a result of that.

Now d increase has been blamed on d flood. The question is what about the communities that weren't affected and yet had increased the price of their produce?

Nigerians REMAINS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM OF NIGERIA.

garri_gangster:
Our friend has gone mad again

ur name

thelastPope:

I have never seen anywhere in the world where a sitting president visits an insurgency zone! Not even sitting military generals do that. I don't know what you are yapping about

Bush went to Iraq

Obama has gone to Afghanistan & Iraq ​ so​ many times

Only GEJ thαt cnt go cos of, as he said " a bad airport". Which is a blatant lie cos, dat same airport is airlifting pilgrims.

Besides, He can land in a close-by state then move through the road.

He is just a coward!!!

lacasa:

Bush went to Iraq

Obama has gone to Afghanistan & Iraq so many times

Only GEJ thαt cnt go cos of, as he said " a bad airport". Which is a blatant lie cos, dat same airport is airlifting pilgrims.

Besides, He can land in a close-by state then move through the road.

He is just a coward!!!

while you are lion and superman.yay

He said another alternative was to look for species of crops that would mature within a short period after planting.

He added, “Something like maize that takes about three months to mature, we are looking at how we can get the ones that will mature in 60 days.  We are also looking for the rice that will endure some level of flooding. These are the areas the Ministry of Agriculture is working on.”

This is what I want to hear. GEJ appears to be really concerned. I wish he would bring long-lasting solutions to this disaster

ujchief: Gej and his diversion tactics! He caused the flood to shift our attention from the major issues affecting us. Gej started and is stil runing boko haram, Gej caused the pension fund scam, subsidy scam, bakasi dilema. Hell! Gej killed those Aluu4, started the fuel scarcity, increase in power tarif, wrote Achebe's biafra brief and is responsible for patience's strange sicknes, all in a bid to divert our attention from the major national issues. Afterall, he doesnt giv a damn!
#what are u waiting for? Hit the insult boton!

am sori bro,I do appreciate ur disappntment en vexatn at his profound weakness in several areas..buh causing d flood Jst hw does one achieve dt exactly?

A man with wisdom, vision and passion to lead a Nation... A pity our nation was visited with such a disaster.
Amidst criticism he has indeed stood tall, GEJ, more power to your elbow!

If d slowpoke said that then he need to be bind in shackles & chains & caste into ARO mental institution for Mad Hatters.

prolifikv: am sori bro,I do appreciate ur disappntment en vexatn at his profound weakness in several areas..buh causing d flood Jst hw does one achieve dt exactly?

You guys should try to understand ujchef‘s comment for what it is, all he is saying is that some fools blame GEJ for all evils and disasters in Nigeria. He was only being sarcastic.

bigmaut: If d slowpoke said that then he need to be bind in shackles & chains & caste into ARO mental institution for Mad Hatters.

Just what do you mean by this? Look we know how frustrated ur life is but transferring the agression to GEJ is bad. Pls look for the cause of ur problems abeg.