Mr. Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), says flooding is a perennial global problem not or Bayelsa and requires all hands to be on deck to tackle.
Wabote stated this on Saturday, in a Junior Chambers International (JCI) Senate Association reunion programme in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
The theme for this year’s session is: “Perennial flooding in Nigeria: Causes and Sustainable Solutions for National Development.”
According to him, what the JCI came together in Bayelsa to find a lasting solution to is a global problem that, stressing that the reason for the choice of the theme, the consequences of the flooding in Bayelsa State, is truly grave, because, among others, “there is loss of livelihood, families are displaced, schools are shut down.”
He said there was, therefore, need to participate in the workshop and for a “focused and concerted effort in addressing the issues of flooding in the state.”
He noted that Bayelsa State is not the only one facing the crises of flooding “because most states in the Niger Delta are also affected, but discussion has to start from somewhere.
“The body decided to say we need to pay more attention to the problem because perhaps the devastation caused by the flooding is a lot more in Bayelsa, when it comes to Nigeria because if you look at the entire Rivers Niger and Benue, the whole thing drains down to Bayelsa State in particular.
“I think part of the solutions that were proffered today is that the state government itself needs to have serious focus on flooding issues, not just leave it as something that they pay lip service.
“The participants also called on interventionist agencies like the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) to use their resources and focus on issues like this (flooding) because it is strategic and that is part of what such intervention agencies are set up for.
“We all know the effect of exploration, exploitation of hydrocarbons and its consequences and it is proper to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
“These agencies were set up and I think they need to be redirected. They need to be asked to be focused on issues of flooding and other strategic issues, as opposed to constructing roads to people’s houses, which are not the main strategic issues for the people of the Niger Delta,” he said.
On his part, the guest lecturer, Mr. Ebi Wodu, an Engineer, said perennial flooding has become an annual issue not only Bayelsa, but in Nigeria.
He also mentioned causes and types of flooding to include River flooding, Coastal flooding, Flash floods and urbanisation, adding that the most important thing is the solution to the problem.
According to him, one cannot eradicate flooding in its entirety, but one can do something to reduce the impact of flooding.
He urged individuals, communities, Local Governments, State governments and the Federal Government, to collaborate to manage flood disasters.
The Chairman of Junior Chambers International, (JCI), Mr. Oluwarotimi Adewole, said the organisation normally moves to every state of the federation to get the government to know the issue and challenges facing the people of various states.
