The Bayelsa State Government has directed its Ministry of Environment and the sanitation authority to intensify preparations against flooding following the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMeT’s) predictions of massive flooding across several states in the country.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the directive while presiding over the 138th State Executive Council at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Describing Bayelsa as the exit point where waters from River Niger and Benue River empty into the Atlantic Ocean, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, stressed the need for the people and the state government to fully prepare for any flood emergency.
He specifically charged the Environment Ministry and the Sanitation Authority to leave no stone unturned in the clearing and opening up of natural water canals to facilitate unrestricted flow of water to check avoidable flooding.
The Deputy Governor equally reiterated his call on the people of the state to avoid indiscriminate disposal of refuse on drainages and other water channels to prevent flooding and environmental pollution.
His words: “As you are aware, Bayelsa State is the receptacle from which all the water from River Niger and River Benue exit into the Atlantic Ocean. And so, it will be necessary for us to be on hyper-alert.
