Members of the Bayelsa State Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, on Saturday, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the impact of the disaster on some affected communities, promising succour for the victims.
A statement on Sunday said 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.
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 the people of the area on behalf of the state governor, who he said was passionate about their well-being 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 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.
He explained that the essence of the visit 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 would be visited and that succour would be provided for those affected in form of the building of higher grounds, provision of relief materials and medicals.
On his part, the state 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.
He noted that the trial water barrier had proved to be effective so far, saying the 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 stated that the state government also implemented a home-grown technology in parts of Yenagoa such as the Epie Creek in Okutukutu area, which had prevented the area and parts of Opolo from being flooded so far.
According to him, a similar measure would be replicated around Yenagoa, Obele, the Law School at Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa.
He expressed optimism that by the time the home-grown technology, which has been implemented in parts of Yenagoa metropolis, was fully implemented, the issue of flooding would be mitigated in the state.
Also, the Director of Operations, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ayii Aziowei, sympathised with those affected, stating that the government would do its best to provide relief for victims.
