Saraki, the immediate past governor of Kwara State who spoke with newsmen after the Eid-prayers in Ilorin, expressed concern that the current level of intervention to victims of the recent flood disaster across the country might not be sufficient given the magnitude of the incident.

Although he noted that government's response was commendable given the spread of the disaster, the senator said given the various complaints emanating from different refuge camps in states affected by the disaster, there was need to fashion out modalities that will eliminate several administrative bottlenecks that prevent aids from reaching their targets on time.

"As at the time the disaster happened, the victims had nothing again and they could not go back to their houses or farms. So, at that point, what we need is to ensure that whatever they need for comfort gets to them on time quickly, without being bogged down by administrative procedures," he said, while noting that in the present circumstance, nobody expected the level and magnitude of the flooding across the country.

When reminded of allegations that some officials in charge of the refuge camps were diverting relief materials to other uses, the former governor said his committee will find out and tackle such areas as well as other associated allegations.

The senator also dismissed allegations by some oil companies that the proposed bill on oil spillage which he is championing is punitive as he argued that the punishment enshrined in the proposed bill was meant to ensure oil companies do the right thing for the environment and the people.

His words:"I don't think there is anywhere in the world where we have the greatest abuse of the environment like the Niger Delta, yet all the companies operating there also operate in other countries of the world and they know the standard usually prescribed for them. If this were not so, we would understand their arguments. So why should we have a different set of rules for them?

"All we are asking for is that if you can respect the lives of others in another country, why not Nigeria? The law is meant to prevent what they call the punitive aspect.

"Also the law will lead to a lot of stability in the region because being the source of oil should not mean that they become disadvantaged. We need to agree as a country to begin to do the right thing and once the oil companies know that we are serious they too will buckle up.

"In fairness to them, today in Nigeria, there is no law that sanctions spillage whereas if you go to a country like USA whether a spillage is through sabotage or not, once it happens, there is a way of calculating what you will pay. That type of law makes you to do everything necessary to secure your pipes", he added.