Flood palliative: Bayelsa residents invade warehouse, loot items

Residents of Bayelsa State on Sunday, broke into a private warehouse in the state capital, Yenagoa, to loot stored palliatives from the Federal Government to cushion the likely effects of the anticipated flood.

It was gathered that the Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Konbowei Benson, allegedly owns the warehouse, which is located along the Isaac Boro Expressway in the state.

Residents, who stormed the warehouse in their numbers, claimed that they were looting the palliatives due to the hardship in the country occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol.

Confirming the incident, the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA) said it was surprised and concerned over the unwarranted invasion of the warehouse.

A statement by the Director General of the agency, Walaman Igrubia, said the incident, which occurred about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, was almost an hour after he, alongside some BYSEMA personnel, left the warehouse premises.

“As part of preparations for an impending flood this year, the DG visited the premises, and in his presence, remnants of food items, notably rice and garri that were no longer fit for consumption, were cleared from the warehouse and placed outside for disposal the next day.

“For emphasis, BYSEMA wishes to state that these items were not fresh food palliatives, and were not hoarded by the agency or the state government.”