With many areas located within flood plains and below sea levels, flood disaster has become almost an annual occurrence in Bayelsa State since 2012. Since late September, there has been noticeable rise in water levels in the state which has now advanced to flooding.
Most of Bayelsa communities have been affected by flood and helpless, community members are crying out for help to the government to find a lasting solution to the menace which disorganizes their lives every year.
They have pleaded with the state government to provide for them, temporary shelters and relief materials as the flood has already sacked them from their homes and sources of livelihood.
Already, places such as Biseni, Tombia-Ekpetiama, the Tombia-Amassoma Road, Akenfa, Akenpai, Igbogene, Swali in Yenagoa and towns such as Kaiama, Odi, Otuoke, Ogbia communities are facing the menace with rivers and tributaries such as the River Nun and the Epie Creek full to the brim.
Many communities such as Sampou, Kaiama, Gbaranma Sabagreia, Okoloba, in Sagbama, Ekeremor and Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Areas are equally impacted.
A victim of the flood, Joy Smart who is taking refuge in Yenagoa, said the flood water which came to their houses late last week is already taking a huge toll on inhabitants.
Madam Florence Job and Mrs Ebi Perekeme explained that while those who have the resources have moved into hotels or other homes elsewhere, those of them that are not financially buoyant are stranded.
The residents say they are at a loss over the situation, and are calling on the Bayelsa State and Federal Government to come to their aid as they suffer the devastating effects of the flood.
A tour along the East West Road connecting the South-South region to Lagos, the South East and other parts of the country, showed that the flood was already affecting some sections of the road. Worse hit was the Patani section, a town in Delta State that shares boundary with Bayelsa communities such as Adagbabiri which has already submerged by water.
Schools in Bayelsa State are already on a compulsory six week break to protect pupils and students from the flood disaster.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa state government has set up a task force on flood mitigation and management.
The task force visited some affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the impact.
Communities visited in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas included Tombia-Ekpetiama, Odi, Sampou, Kaiama, Gbaranma Sabagreia, Okoloba, Biseni and neighbouring communities as well as some areas within the Yenagoa metropolis.
Speaking after the exercise, the commissioner for Environment and chairman of the task force, Iselema Gbaranbiri, lamented the impact of the flooding in Biseni community, which he said was almost totally submerged.
Gbaranbiri sympathised with people of the area on behalf of the governor, who he said was passionate about their wellbeing hence the setting up of the task force on flood mitigation on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting.
On the situation in parts of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA such as Odi and Sampou, Gbaranbiri said both communities were relatively safe at the moment due to the water barrier built there by the government while areas like Gbarama, Sabagreia, Okoloba and Kaiama were heavily impacted with institutions such as the Ijaw National Academy, the Girls Secondary School in Kaiama and the Bayelsa State Sports Institute at Asoama flooded.
The Environment commissioner explained that the essence of the on-the-spot assessment was to get first-hand information about the situation and identify areas of need for government to provide succour to the people.
While calling on the Federal Government to assist the state government in alleviating the sufferings of victims, he stated that other local government areas will be visited and that succour would be provided for those affected in form of building of higher grounds, provision of relief materials and medicals.
Also speaking, the commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the concrete water barrier built in three communities was a pilot project based on the advice of his ministry which he said have proved to be effective so far, noting that government was still monitoring its effectiveness.
He assured that a decision will be taken by the government to replicate them in other communities and possibly improve on them.
Teibowei added that the state government has also implemented a home-grown technology in parts of Yenagoa such as the Epie creek in Okutukutu area, which has prevented the area and parts of Opolo from being flooded so far.
According to him, a similar measure will be replicated around down Yenagoa, Obele, the Law School at Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa.
The Works Commissioner expressed optimism that by the time the home-grown technology, which has been implemented in parts of Yenagoa metropolis, is fully implemented, flooding will be mitigated in the state.
Director of operations, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr. Ayii Aziowei, sympathised with those affected, stating that the government would do its best to provide relief for victims.
