Flooding: Over 100 Bayelsa communities submerged, says Governor

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that over 100 communities in the state have already been submerged by flood.

Bayelsa is said to be below sea level and once the river Niger and Benue overflow, they empty into the Atlantic Ocean and fill up the River Nun in the state which caused the yearly flooding in the state.

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Speaking during the 90th state executive council meeting on Wednesday, Diri said the state government felt the pain and suffering of communities and individuals affected by the rampaging flood in the state.

He also assured that the government would give top priority to alleviating the suffering of victims.

In a statement, the governor’s spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that the government was aware that some lives had been lost as well as homes and communities ravaged.

He said: “Let me assure our brothers and sisters that have been heavily impacted that while we pray the flood abates soon, your government will also do the needful as we have set up a committee during the previous state executive council meeting.

“The committee has been working tirelessly and it will present a report today on what they have done so far. From that, I believe that some succour will come from your state government.

“I also like to salute the courage of Bayelsans in the face of the ravaging floods. Homes and communities have been sacked. Our people are now living as IDPs (internally displaced persons). We have also recorded a few deaths and destruction of property due to the flood.

“The flood might not be new to us as a people as we also pride ourselves as being aquatic. However, the ratio of this year’s flood comparatively appears to be the highest. The report I have just received suggest that this would go beyond the 2012 floods.

“Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters that have been severely impacted. Each and everyone of us, either directly or indirectly, have been impacted by the flood.”

Diri appealed to well-meaning citizens of the state to come to the aid of victims of the disaster.

The governor equally called on the federal government to partner the state in working out a permanent solution to the flood by considering a dam to contain the waters.