The Bayelsa State Government has expressed concerns over the 2013 Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) weather forecast and has emphasised the need for the people of the state to take precautionary measures in preventing a recurrence of the 2012 tragedy.
NIMET, in its forecast, predicted heavy rains this year, higher than what was experienced last year, which rendered some families in some states of the Federation homeless wand washed away farmlands, especially in Bayelsa State.
Disturbed by this trend and in order to avert a recurrence of such experience despite the prediction of the meteorological agency, Governor of the state, Hon. Seriake Dickson met with the leaders and members of relevant committees, such as Post Flood Management Committee and Infrastructure Advisory Committee inaugurated after the 2012 crisis.
Calling on the committees represented at the meeting to embark on deeper technical assessment to identify the flood level, the governor promised his administration’s assistance in ascertaining the foundation height of its public infrastructures.
On the need for the interaction, he said, “We are here this afternoon to discuss the subject matter that is of interest to the people of our state. We are all aware of the devastating effects of the flood last year on our state and we have reason as a result of the magnitude of the damage and destruction that we suffered to set up a committee of our very best hands to come up with ways and means of effectively managing the aftermath of the flood in several ways.
“I am aware that the committee has swung into action. Let me on behalf of a grateful state government thank its chairman and members of the post flood management committee for their sacrifices and contributions.
“I summon this meeting firstly to have a report of how far the two committees have gone and their work plan. We have cause to summon this meeting based on the weather forecast for 2013 and knowing what we suffered in this state last year when we were notified about the weather forecast by NIMET.
“The forecast reveals that the rain fall projection by this year will be higher than that of last year with the likelihood of floo. I got very worried as your governor, and this is the reason why we gather here to see that we do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of last year’s flooding that ravaged the entire state.”
In their separate remarks, Chairmen of the two affected committees, Engr. Charles Dorgu and Chief Francis Doukpola revealed that the committees embarked on extensive tour of 95 per cent of communities across the state, noting that both public and private properties were destroyed by the flood.
According to Chief Doukpola, a minimum of N20bn is required to solve flooding problems in the state. He stressed the need for government to supply more relief materials, such as food and cement to affected communities, where all mud houses were destroyed.
Engr. Dorgu urged contractors currently handling road expansion jobs in the state capital to open up the water courses, and also recommended the construction of dykes to protect the roads from flooding.
