Thousands of residents in various Bayelsa communities have been displaced from their homes due to severe flooding, with many seeking refuge on bridges, roads, and makeshift camps.
The victims have urgently appealed to both the Federal and Bayelsa State governments for immediate assistance.
The flood has devastated numerous homes, schools, health facilities, places of worship, roads, and farmlands, particularly affecting residents in Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas.
King David Obuma, the Paramount Ruler (Ibedaowei) of the Biseni clan and a former Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly, expressed the community’s feelings of abandonment as they grapple with hunger and shelter issues. He urged the government to assist with sandfilling certain areas to create higher grounds for temporary refuge. He also emphasized the need for long-term solutions such as the construction of embankments, dykes, and dams along riverbanks.
Similarly, King Akile Debekeme, the Pere of Biseni, lamented the plight of the community despite being home to several oil wells and gas facilities. He called for government intervention through the provision of relief materials and the establishment of internally displaced persons camps.
Among the displaced individuals are Oweifa Godday, the secretary to the chiefs’ council, and Ere Konugha, who are currently sheltering on a bridge. They described their situation as distressing and confusing, having been separated from their families.
The flooding has also impacted communities in the Epie Kingdom of Yenagoa, as well as Sampou in Kolokuma-Opokuma, Sagbama, and Ogbia, adding to the growing list of areas affected by this disaster.
In related news, floods have also displaced residents in other regions, with reports highlighting the urgent need for action to address flooding issues across the country, including calls for dredging the Rivers Niger and Benue.
