Flood crisis worsens in Bayelsa as corpses float out of cemetery

The flood crisis in Bayelsa State reached its peak on Monday as corpses floated out of a cemetery in the state.

The state is among the worst hit in the nationwide disaster attributed to climate change and blockage of drainages.

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Residents of Aeroplane Road at Azikoro axis of Yenagoa, the state capital, raised alarm over how corpses from a nearby cemetery flowed into their Community.

They also plead with the state government for immediate action to avoid a public health crisis.

A resident, Mr Emmanuel Oden, said the relocation of the cemetery is long overdue.

He alleged that corpses at the cemetery were often buried in shallow graves of about 3 feet, rather than the six feet prescribed by law.

Another resident, Ebi Owoupele, urged the Bayelsa State Government to understand the plight of the people and relocate the cemetery.

Governor Douye Diri during a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, stated that the flood has affected critical infrastructure like hospitals, roads, bridges and schools, including the state-owned Niger Delta University, Amassoma, the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.

He called for help from International donor agencies, the Federal Government, multinationals and public spirited persons to assuage the suffering.

He said: “I make this address, Bayelsa State is completely severed from the rest of the country as portions of the strategic East-West Road, the sole access to and from the state, between Ughelli and Patani in Delta State as well as Okogbe and Ahoada in Rivers State have collapsed with a high volume of flood water occupying the stretch. Economic hardship has set in, as food, medical provisions and energy are now in short supply. The situation is desperate and getting worse.

“I wish to on behalf of the people of Bayelsa, sincerely thank Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for his kind directive to the different federal agencies to come to assist the state. I urge them to comply with this presidential directive expeditiously.”