Flood Sacks Residents Of Bayelsa . . . Appeal For Assistance, Relocation
2 min read
by Elizabeth Vincent
BAYELSA STATE: Residents of Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, the home town of the former Nigeria president, Goodluck Jonathan, Utuoke and its environs have been sacked by the rampaging flood, which has rendered many homeless.
Those affected have called on the State government and NEMA to urgently come to their aide by setting up IDP Camps in strategic high level areas in the State to lessen their suffering.
According to sources, the mostly affected areas in the State capital are, Igbogene, Edepie, Swaile, Azikoro, Opolo, Kpansia, Eleele, Akenfa, Kutukutu, and Agudama.
Other areas are, Utuoke (the University town and former President Goodluck Jonathan country home), Amassoma, the home of former Ijaw Nation Governor General, late DSP Alameisieya.
The flood which has almost crumbled economic activities in the State has become an annual routine.
A victim of the flood who gave his name as Jacob Aaron, lamented the hard effect of the flood which has taken over his store and apartment.
“You can see the water inside the house. Am a retired civil servant and have no other place to go to. I was only able to send my children to relatives houses, but I and my wife have to stay back”, he said
The flood which was said to have started in the early part of September 2020, has been seen as another tragic experience especially as the State and individuals are yet to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that has negatively impacted on the economy.
Bayelsa State is mostly surrounded by water. It has constantly suffered from flood but has not experienced this magnitude after the 2012 flood.
Mrs. Mary Oshenyen, a petty trader residing at Igbogene-Yenagoa narrated how water has taken over their homes and store and kept them stranded.
Others who spoke to our reporter in Yenagoa said, although flood is a natural disaster, it can be controlled by opening up drainages and preparing before it comes since its now a yearly occurrence.
They appealed to the State government, NEMA and other relevant agencies to come to their aids by making available accommodation for the less privileged who do not have any means of renting houses in the non affected areas.
