The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says logistical challenges were to blame for the delay in delivering relief items to flood victims in Bayelsa State.
  
In a statement, on Saturday, in Abuja, the agency’s Head of, Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel noted that trucks conveying some of the additional second, third and special grains interventions, as well as non-food items were stuck in Kogi State and other locations on the way to Bayelsa State due to the flooded conditions of the roads. 
  
The statement said: “Gladly, some of the vehicles have been removed with assistance from our stakeholders, and are presently moving to deliver the relief items to complement the efforts of the Bayelsa State government in providing succour to the flood-affected persons. 

“NEMA intervention team is presently in the state and will work with the State Emergency Management Agency, and other stakeholders to carry out a detailed assessment of devastating impacts of the flood for possible further assistance to the affected persons, the statement said, adding: “In addition to the relief intervention, NEMA in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, through NNS Soroh in Bayelsa State, and NNS Pathfinder in Rivers State, the Nigerian Red Cross, local volunteers carried out the evacuation of persons on the East-West Road, from and to Bayelsa State.”
  
According to Ezekiel, the Director General of the agency, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, the collaboration of the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, and other stakeholders in delivering relief items to Bayelsa State and other states across the country is deeply appreciated. 
  
The DG NEMA commended the Bayelsa State government for providing support to the flood-affected persons, just as he appreciated the understanding of concerned members of the public on the intervention by the federal and state governments so far.”
  
He recalled: “On 8th October 2022, the agency through our South South Zonal Office delivered to Bayelsa State, assorted relief materials comprising of food and non-food items for immediate distribution at communities affected by the flood.

The items were distributed directly to the affected persons in the Otegwe, and Ibelebiri communities of the Ogbia Local Council of the State.