Flood: Bayelsa bars development of structures along water channels

Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, has warned property developers against acquiring land and developing structures on waterways to prevent flooding and loss of lives and property.

Diri, while declaring open a three day Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Summit organised by the State Physical Planning and Development Board on Tuesday in Yenagoa, decried the level of destruction in the state during the October flooding in the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor directed the formation of town planning committees in all the communities in the state to liaise with the board on land and building to ensure that natural waterways are not obstructed.

Commenting on the theme of the summit, “Physical Planning and Development in Bayelsa State: The Way Forward,” the governor lamented that the way people were building in the state would make it difficult for firefighters to access most areas for rescue.

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Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning And Development Board, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, stressed the need to match rapid economic development with comprehensive planning and regulatory controls.