The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday, moved its medical team to Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps (IDPs) in Yenagoa, in a move to cement civil/military relations in the Niger Delta region.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that medical laboratories were set to check for common diseases associated with the recent torrential flooding in the area.
The sea soldiers also supplied drugs and food to the internally displaced persons.
Some of the ailments treated by the naval team were malaria, pneumonia and flu, while it also conducted eye, dental and other tests for those who have recently lost their homes to the flood.
In his remarks, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, noted that the programme was apt, given the hardship the displaced persons had undergone since the incident occurred.
Garba, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibot-Ette Ibas, was accompanied by the Commander, NNS Soroh, Commodore Felix Esekhile, traditional rulers and officers from sister agencies.
He said the Navy also had a responsibility to bring succour to the needy during emergencies.
The FOC recalled that the Navy had immediately swung into action when the flood started taking over people’s homes by providing boats and security for persons who were moved to the camps from the coastal areas.
He added that the Medical Rhapsody was designed by the CNC to respond to cases of persons who were displaced, maimed or traumatised.
“Nigeria is currently witnessing several security challenges and if the security agencies are to excel in their duties, it is important to foster a good civil/military relationship.
“It is for this reason that the CNC has made this programme a key event,” he said.
“I urge you all to cooperate with the Navy to fight criminalities and all forms of insecurities in this state in particular and the country in general.
“This Medical Rhapsody is coming at a time that people needed it most. Some of these people here were brought from their villages using our boats. As they are going back, we will also provide transport and security.
“The Naval Chief also vowed to ensure that all strategic infrastructure and the people in the Niger Delta region remain safe, stressing that the navy will continue to do its core duty of securing the waterways.
“Without security, there can be no meaningful development and without the armed forces, the nation cannot be sufficiently secured for economic activities to thrive,” he stated.
In his remarks, Gov. Seriake Dickson, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Ebipatei Apaingolo, lauded the military for their prompt response.
He urged the Federal Government to map out a strategy to respond to the issue of flooding annually, maintaining that the current response was more of a fire brigade action.
The governor’s representative said that the 400 bags of rice presented to IDP camps in Bayelsa by the federal government was just a drop in the ocean given the humongous needs of the displaced persons.
The Navy also treated a woman who had just been delivered of a baby girl before the medical team arrived and was thereafter transferred to a hospital for proper care. (NAN)
