The governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has urged the federal government to do more than only issue alerts and encourage it to support states in combating the threat of floods.
When meeting the leadership of the Obogoro community for a courtesy visit yesterday at Government House in Yenagoa.
The governor stressed that the administration was using all available resources to solve the issue, saying that practically all villages in the state were impacted by persistent flooding and erosion.
According to Diri, his administration has established a flood and erosion control agency to offer comprehensive solutions to environmental problems as part of measures to combat flooding and erosion.
In Obogoro Community, in Yenagoa Council, he claimed that the government was already tackling coastline erosion, assuring the locals that a long-term solution would be found to the problem.
The governor of the state commended Obogoro's chiefs for choosing to engage in conversation rather than the planned protest.
His words: “When we heard stories of protest, I asked where are my brothers in that community? If there is one community that has benefited from this state and this administration, it is Obogoro. At the end of the day, the leadership of the community rose to the occasion and I appreciate you for standing up.
“On the issue of erosion, you all know that most communities in the state are threatened, including my own community. For now, Obogoro is receiving attention from the government.
“When the action was too slow, I had to drag in the deputy governor and most of the issues are being resolved. There is no reason for anybody to resort to protesting.
“In a state, it is communities that make up councils. So if they have issues, we have issues too.
Erosion affects almost all communities in Bayelsa. That is why we believe this is not a state government problem alone.
“We need Federal Government to play key roles. Federal Government issuing warning or alerts to states is not enough. You know we do not have the resources to tackle this issue. We need federal and international agencies to support us.”
