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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Several residents of Yenagoa metropolis were in agony on Wednesday as massive flooding hit many parts of the state capital, sacking many from their homes.
Several communities along the East/ West road had been submerged due to the ravaging flooding and with the water level showing no sign of receding; it has found its way into several homes in Yenagoa.
Investigations across the state on Wednesday indicated that Amarata, Edepie, Akenfa, Tombia, Akenpai, Agudama- Epie, NIIT road, Agbura were seriously impacted with residents scampering to move their property from the flood ravaged areas.
In Amarata arrangements are made to move canoes to the area to help some of the residents willing to pay to move their property.
In Ogbogoro community, two-year-old children on Wednesday reportedly drowned, throwing the community into mourning.
A resident of the community, Mr Ada Gwegwe said efforts made to save the child proved abortive as she gave up.
He also disclosed that on Tuesday, a middle-aged woman died while sleeping when the rushing water swept her house away.
Some of the affected residents have knocked the Bayelsa State Task Force on Flood mitigation and Management for failing in its responsibilities to come to the aid of several victims of flood in the state.
Speaking in an interview Mr Israel said the committee has not shown any seriousness on what it plans to do for the people.
“We only heard like other Bayelsans that a committee has been set. We have not seen the committee visiting Agudama- Epie which has been badly affected. Several families are stranded seeking ways to move out but there is no help from the government. Governor Douye Diri should pay more attention to the activities of the Committee so that it can achieve its purpose”.
Another resident in Amarata, Mr Festus who said the water level rose overnight and has taken over several homes in the area queried why the flood committee has been slow to take action to ameliorate the sufferings of victims of flood.
“We call on the flood committee and the Bayelsa State government to come to our aid. We are suffering terribly. Many are homeless. It is not when the water has receded that the flood committee would now come with relief materials. It is now we need the help from the government,“ he said.
Meanwhile Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his government feels the pain and suffering of communities and individuals affected by the rampaging flood in the state.
He has therefore assured that the government will give top priority to alleviating the suffering of victims.
Diri who stated this during the 90th State Executive Council Meeting held inside the Executive Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.
Governor Diri said it was his concern for the victims that necessitated the setting up of the task force on flooding, which has already visited more than 100 impacted communities.
His words: “Let me assure our brothers and sisters that have been heavily impacted that while we pray the flood abates soon, your government will also do the needful as we have set up a committee during the previous state executive council meeting.
“The committee has been working tirelessly and it will present a report today on what they have done so far. From that, I believe that some succour will come from your state government.
“I also like to salute the courage of Bayelsans in the face of the ravaging floods. Homes and communities have been sacked. Our people are now living as IDPs (internally displaced persons). We have also recorded a few deaths and destruction of property due to the flood.
“The flood might not be new to us as a people as we also pride ourselves as being aquatic. However, the ratio of this year’s flood comparatively appears to be the highest. The reports I have just received suggest that this would go beyond the 2012 floods.”
