As states recount their plight in the face of the 2022 raging flood, no state would be as devastated as Bayelsa State. The state has not only had many of its communities submerged by flood but unlike any other, it has been cut off from its two neighbours, Delta and Rivers states.
All traffic from both ends are on hold except for those brave enough to travel by heavy duty trucks. A Delta State bound Agofure Bus was swept off the road with its full load of passengers by the torrent between Rivers and Delta putting more fright into the minds of the people.
The state has now been dubbed a ‘Floating Republic’ by a concerned Bayelsan who wroe on Facebook that, “this time, the flood brought forth by the same Almighty God said a few days ago, Bayelsa with will be free from the hassle and worries of Nigeria”.
“In the last one week or so, Bayelsa under the able leadership of Senator Douye Diri is alone with his people on a new country call the floating republic.
“The country has no link with the rest of the madness called Nigeria, either by air or road, despite the fact that it has an airport or road links with its neighbours just a week ago. For example, Bayelsa now has no link with its closest neighbours in Rivers State where the ranting Wike is still licking his political wounds inflicted by Atiku Abubakar’s moving political train. To visit Yenagoa the capital of the floating republic, you don’t need a visa. However, your swimming skills need upgrading.
Oneh Primary School Camp in Asaba
“On the other axis in Delta State, the situation is a twice -told-story. Bayelsa is cut off. You either swim across or get a small canoe to cross to the island republic”.
Events planned there have been suspended following the flood. The Nigerian Medical Association postponed its annual general conference because of the flood. But a major fall-out of the cut off is that food crisis is looming in the state. Bayelsans depend for many of its food supply from outside although it is a basket for plantain, garri, cocoyam, sweet potato, dry fish, crayfish, etc. and much of the farm produce have been hurriedly harvested to save them from the flood.
National Point check reveals that as the people huddle together in drier places, food is a major challenge. The price of food has gone up astronomically, posing a danger to the many who are forced into the shelters without money.
A 50kg bag of rice which sold for N37,000 before the flood now sells for N50,000. A custard bucket of rice costs N5000, while a bucket of garri is going for as high as N10,000. Even a tiny ball of onion is now selling for N100.
A worried young mother of one told this publication on the phone that things are very tough.
“Things have become very tough. Food is costing so much. We are just managing to get food to buy. The road is not safe for traders to bring in food. The supermarkets are just managing. We are stocking what we can with the little money we have and praying the flood dries up soon,” she added.
A trader from Port Harcourt who buys goods from Mbiama said, “My daughter, this flood has spoiled things. Water has taken over everywhere. We can no longer go to Bayelsa to buy and nobody is selling anything”.
The flood destroyed food everywhere it touched starting from the North, which resulted in the increase in the prices of goods like rice, beans, onions and lack of access to Delta State means less opportunity for food inflow.
Meanwhile, the governments have been strongly criticized for failing to put in place necessary structures to minimize the impact of the ravaging flood. Bayelsa is below sea level and thus flood prone which demands the need for proactive actions. People are still struggling to overcome the pains of the COVID-19 pandemic.
