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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Federal Government, various state governments and stakeholders have been told to move fast to end perennial flooding in the country.
The National Secretary of the apex Ijaw pressure group, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Engr Ebipamowei Wodu gave this advice over the weekend while speaking on the theme, Perennial Flooding in Nigeria: Causes and Sustainable Solutions for National Development at the Junior Chambers International (JCI), Senate Association Reunion programme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Wodu who was the guest speaker listed types of flooding to include River flooding, Coastal flooding, Flash flood and flooding due to urbanization noted that the most important thing is the solution for the problem.
According to him the Federal Government and governments at other levels must ensure that the proper things are done to tame flooding.
” Nothing stops the local government from sensitizing the people on the need to always be conscious of their sanitation. We should not be dumping refuse like papers, pure water sachets, bottle water, amongst others into the drainage channels, it will also prevent flooding.
“The state government should think of building dykes. Setting up bench mark for people to build their structures so that when flood comes it will not be impacted.
“It has been done in Emadike, Ogbia Local Government Area, about 98% completed and another one has been awarded for Otuedu, also in Ogbia.
“We should think of creating artificial lake water bodies that can take a lot of water to reduce the flooding,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr Simbi Wabote said flooding is a global problem caused either by human activities or much talked about global warming.
Wabote who was a special guest said the reason for JCI to gather in Bayelsa and discuss the perennial flooding is because flooding is usually grave in Bayelsa because of the loss of livelihood, families are displaced, schools are shut down and the rest of them.
“Bayelsa State is not only single out because most states in the Niger Delta are also affected but discussion has to start somewhere and this body decided to say we need to pay more attention because perhaps the devastation of the flood is a lot more in Bayelsa State when its comes to Nigeria because if you look at the entire Rivers Niger and Benue, the whole thing drains down to Bayelsa State in particular.
On his part, the Chairman of JCI, Mr Oluwarotimi Adewole, said the union normally moves to every state of the federation and to get the government to know about the issue facing the state.
He said they choose Bayelsa, because they have a member who has been in the state for a while who knows the challenges the people are facing.
