The Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), has cautioned residents of the State who invaded a warehouse and looted palliative on Sunday in Yenogoa that the food items were not fit for consumption.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday, the director-general, BYSEMA, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia said that the food items, notably rice and garri were remnants of the 2022 flood palliatives and were not hoarded by the agency or the state government.
“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.
“The remnants, which were swept from the floor and packed in disused bags, were less than 10 bags of rice and garri and with some broken cans of oil.
“For emphasis, BYSEMA states that these items were not fresh food palliatives and were not hoarded by the agency or the state government.
“Importantly, these items are unfit for human consumption and a responsible, caring government like ours will not give Bayelsans such items as palliatives.
“In essence, there were no food items to loot. So, those who carted away the unfit items are please advised in their interest not to consume them”, Igrubia said.
Angry residents had on Sunday invaded a private warehouse where palliatives consisting of Rice, Beans, Garri, Noodles, and other items meant to be distributed to victims of the devastating flood in 2022 were stored and carted away the items almost an hour after the director-general, Hon. Walamam Sam Igrubia, alongside some BYSEMA personnel, left the privately owned warehouse premises.
