Bayelsa Urges Federal Backing in Battle Against Flood

YENAGOA — The Bayelsa State Government has reiterated its appeal to the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other development partners to intervene urgently in the fight against recurrent flooding and severe coastal erosion threatening several communities across the state.

Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made this call during a high-level stakeholders meeting held at Government House, Yenagoa, with representatives from the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, local government chairmen, and other relevant authorities in attendance.

According to a statement by Mr. Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, the meeting underscored the increasing vulnerability of Bayelsa’s coastal regions, especially those along the Atlantic shoreline, where entire communities face the threat of being washed away annually.

“We Are the Headquarters of Flooding in Nigeria” — Ewhrudjakpo

Describing Bayelsa as the “headquarters of flooding in the country,” Senator Ewhrudjakpo lamented the absence of robust federal support in what he called an “existential crisis” for many residents. He emphasized the economic and technical challenges associated with implementing sustainable shoreline protection and erosion control infrastructure.

While acknowledging the NDDC’s past contributions to regional development, the Deputy Governor called for a more coordinated and strategic collaboration between the state government and the interventionist agency.

“We are not just asking for help; we are calling for a renewed partnership to protect lives, livelihoods, and the future of our riverine communities,” he stated.

Government Orders Emergency Flood Control Measures

As part of its immediate response, the Bayelsa State Government has directed the Directorate on Flood and Erosion Control to:

• Open major drainage canals and dredge sands at pre-identified locations in preparation for the establishment of temporary flood relief camps.
• Undertake community-level flood assessments in Akenfa-Epie, Tombia, and other high-risk flashpoints.
• Sand-fill relief camps in Biseni (Yenagoa LGA) and Obirigbene (Ekeremor LGA) to prepare for potential displacement scenarios during the peak flood season.

In a further move to reduce urban flooding, Senator Ewhrudjakpo ordered the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to demolish and reconstruct a defective drainage culvert at Arietalin in Yenagoa metropolis.

Flooding at Stadium Site Prompts Immediate Inspection

The Deputy Governor also addressed reports of temporary flooding in the Igbogene axis of the state capital, linked to sand filling at the new stadium site. He mandated an on-site inspection involving officials from the flood control directorate, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Sports, with a directive to submit a remediation plan to the government.

Local Government Leaders Echo Concerns

The over three-hour meeting featured briefings from Surveyor Wilson Omuso, Director-General of the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, and local government chairmen from Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Ekeremor LGAs. They collectively emphasized the worsening impact of seasonal flooding on public infrastructure, agriculture, and housing across the state.

A Call for Strategic Partnerships

The Bayelsa Government’s renewed plea is a strong reminder of the growing environmental threats facing Nigeria’s coastal states. As climate change accelerates sea level rise and intensifies rainfall patterns, stakeholders say only a united national response can ensure resilience in vulnerable regions like Bayelsa.