WEN WOTA PAS GARI 2 The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan did well

l to have addressed the nation on efforts of his government to keep hope alive for thousands of people rendered homeless by flood across the country. His tour of areas worse hit by the floods is also commendable. Unfortunately, after departing his home state Bayelsa, his country home in Otueke, was almost over run by the almighty flood. While launching the Nigeria's Saving One Million Lives Initiative (2012-20-15) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Mr President lamented his personal encounter with the raging floods this way I left my village on Sunday morning and as of that time, water was about entering my compound. This morning, the information is that all my windows are under water. So, you can see what people are passing through at this period. Painfully, this same house recently underwent a renovation after its bombing by the Niger Delta militants at the height of youth militancy for equity and proper management of funds accruing from oil resources in the region. The President described the flood as a natural disaster. As reported by various national dailies, the Bayelsa State Governor was also quoted to have remarked that he will soon become a refugee as a result of the flood. What this means is that, like the President, his personal residence may also be overtaken by floods. The screaming headlines on the pages of various newspapers in this regard led to the following remark by a passenger in a vehicle; If Bayelsa govano tok se im go bi refuji, na im bi se Oga Presido don olredi bi korekt refuji bikos di tin don hit am wel wel. Bot refuji pas refuji. Refuji fo Govanment haus no bi di sem tin wit refuji fo Refugee Camp. I am still at a loss as to why hordes of unpalatable developments should be befalling a government led by one who sincerely told us of his humble background with specific mention of how he used to trek bare-footed to school. No need mentioning the series of killings we read on newspapers daily. Although, in the opinion of some, he may not be as aggressive as they would have preferred, it is becoming glaring by the day that his transformation agenda is working. The need to sympathise with him could be underscored against his level of openness and sincerity of purpose as demonstrated so far in the way and manner the flood challenge and many others are being handled. For example, electricity problem is fast becoming a thing of the past as many areas now enjoy stable power supply. Mr. President has to a large extent demonstrated that his government will tackle any natural disaster that may rear its ugly head in future headlong. In order to fully assess and propose recommendations for the mitigation of the negative impacts of the floods, a Presidential Technical Committee on floods was put in place. While addressing the nation on dis flood mata, the President stated that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had already spent the sum of N1.314 billion for the provision of relief mediate materials for the victims of the flood. Still on his address, he added that, The Minister of Works has spent N556million on repair of collapsed bridges and construction of bye-pass while the Minister of Environment has spent N95million on sundry relief measures. Furthermore, he promised immediate provision of N17.6 billion direct financial assistance to the affected states and some Federal Government Agencies responsible for disaster management. He also called on the National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olise Agbakoba to assist government raise funds to mitigate the pains of those affected by the floods. Finally, states affected by the floods were categorised A-D based on level of the impact of the natural disaster and given sums ranging from N250million - N500million. Beautiful! However, upon a critical appraisal of the above efforts of government and sums of money doled out so far, coupled with the yet to be disbursed funds based on promises of

government, the expected inflow of financial support from both local and international NGOs and the increase in the number of newly formed local NGOs falling over one another to register their concern to save lives in these flood affected areas, you will agree with me that the whole thing will not escape the typical Nigerian abracadabra di mo yu luk, di les yu si. Although no nation is immune to natural disasters, the way and manner preparations are made in in readiness for eventualities matters. The common phrase, the way you make your bed, so you shall lie on it is instructive here. A boat ride across our rivers will tell you how people in the riverine are abandoned to their fates. Hardly would you find modern embankments or jetties. Now that the rich also cry, lets see whether there will be a change on the part of government to do the right thing. Why spend so much in mitigation of the impacts of natural disasters when less than half of such expenses would have turned hundreds of localities into beautiful island-cities? Why shouldnt the President speak in Naija? Na bikos wota don pas gari. Watch out for Wen Wota