Environment
By Victoria Frances
SIMBI Wabote, executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has called for all hands on deck to tackle flooding, a perennial global problem not prone only to Bayelsa State.
Wabote made this known at a reunion programme of Junior Chambers International, JCI, Senate Association in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State at the weekend with the theme “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 has truly grave consequences for the State because among others, “there is loss of livelihood, families are displaced, schools are shut down.”
He added that there was need to participate in the workshop which was part of a focused and concerted effort to address the issues of flooding in the state.
According to him, Bayelsa State in not alone in the flooding crisis which also affect most states in the Niger Delta although discussions on tackling it must 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.
Also, Ebi Wodu, an engineer, said perennial flooding has become an annual issue not only Bayelsa, but in Nigeria, listing it’s 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.
Stating that one cannot eradicate flooding in its entirety, Wodu said something can be done to reduce the impact of flooding, adding that individuals, communities, local governments, State governments and the federal hovernment should collaborate to manage flood disasters.
Oluwarotimi Adewole, chairman of Junior Chambers International, JCI, 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.
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Tags: Junior Chambers International NCDMB Oluwarotimi Adewole Simbi Wabote Victoria Frances
