Yenagoa—The Executive Assistant on Public Affairs and Social Orientation to the Bayelsa State Governor, Evang. George Turnah (MON) has pledged the sum of N7m to support flood victims in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
A 20-member committee to manage Turnah’s personal and direct intervention to flood victims in Ogbia ward 9 (Kolo ward) and plan a robust post-flood recovery strategy for the ward has been set up.
According to a statement by his Special Assistant, Robert Enaikato, Chief Saturday Ederi has been appointed as Chairman of the committee, while Chief David Happiness will be the Deputy Chairman, Nathaniel Adogu and Afebo James will act as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
Other members are: James Okuata, Grace Collins Azibabagir, Agama Suoyo, ThankGod Odo, Brave Agundu, Benjamin Marabhin, Justice Turnah, Akiks Olali, Obi F. Jacob, Confidence Edoghotu, Obebator Ominigbo
and Gbalipiri
Saturday, Kotor Olali, Enaikato Robert and Epere Rainbow were also appointed as members of the committee.
The terms of reference of the committee include the profiling of flood victims in all Communities of Ogbia Ward 9.
They are also expected to “workout modalities for handling the direct cash transfer to victims intervention initiative of the George Turnah Foundation. To this end, the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two million naira) only is donated and immediately made available by George Turnah, MON for this purpose.
“The Committee is to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the flood on communities and people of the ward and advise on a clear workable action plan/road map to guide post-flood recovery process for which the George Turnah Foundation will commit a total sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five million naira) only as recovery funds for direct intervention in the areas of medicals, farming and business recovery.
“The Committee is to also profile and engage illustrious sons and daughters of Ogbia Ward 9 (Kolo Ward) irrespective of Party linings and affiliations to support/contribute to the post-flood recovery process.
“The Committee is also to profile flood victims from across the Kingdom of Ogbia who are pro-George Turnah for direct intervention on behalf of George Turnah, MON.”
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Turnah will inaugurate the committee on Thursday 3rd November 2022 at the 4+4 Prosperity Movement Secretariat in Yenagoa by 2:00 pm.
Our correspondent gathered that Turnah who has carried out several empowerment programmes and facilitated projects, has also made a similar donation to victims of the 2012 flood.
In 2015, Turnah through the George Turnah Foundation, paid the sum of N63,000 tuition fee and N5000 penalty charge for some undergraduates in the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State who were on the verge of being sent home because of their inability to pay their fees.
The same year, he gave N300,000 each to nine (9) law graduates from Niger Delta University, Amassoma (NDU) to enable them to settle their fees in the Nigerian Law School.
Also in 2015, he donated four Hilux vans to the security apparatus in Ogbia LGA: The Department of State Services (DSS) Ogbia LGA, the defunct Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Ogbia Command, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Kolo and Ogbia Divisions, respectively.
Turnah, a former Special Assistant to Mr. Dan Abia, erstwhile Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) gifted four Prado Jeeps to the four Royal Majesties heading the four main clans that make up the Ogbia Kingdom same year.
He went further to donate five 18seater Hiace buses to the Ogbia Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers, the Ogbia Brotherhood Women Wing, the Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council, and the Ogbia Brotherhood Students Wing.
Turnah has also in times past bought UTME forms for school leavers, books for various schools, paid school fees for hundreds of students and financed research projects and donation of 60KVA generator to the Corpers lodge in Otuoke and the remodeling and reconstruction of the Ogbia Brotherhood Hall in Ogbia Town
