The Bayelsa Government has appealed to the Nigerian Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and development partners to support the state in tackling flooding and coastal erosion challenges.
Deputy Gov. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the appeal on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, local government chairmen, and other officials in Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo said the state is experiencing serious environmental damage, especially in coastal communities, and lacks the financial capacity to implement large-scale shoreline protection projects.
He said Bayelsa was the state with the longest coastline in Nigeria and the one most affected by seasonal flooding.
“Bayelsa is widely affected by flooding every year. We’ve become so accustomed to it that we no longer raise alarms like other states.
“Several of our communities along the Atlantic Ocean are being eroded yearly. Our appeal is for urgent intervention by the federal government and the NDDC.
“We understand that there are competing priorities across the country. However, our situation is unique, and support is urgently needed to mitigate the damage,” he said.
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Ewhrudjakpo acknowledged the contributions of the NDDC in executing projects across the state, but called for stronger collaboration on long-term solutions.
“While we recognise the importance of building dams in other parts of the country, we urge the federal government to also invest in addressing flooding and coastal erosion in Bayelsa,” he added.
The deputy governor also directed the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control to speed up the clearing of major drainage canals and the dredging of designated sites.
He explained that the directive was part of efforts to prepare temporary camps for displaced residents ahead of the 2025 flood season.
He instructed the directorate to conduct assessment visits to identified high-risk areas such as Akenfa-Epie, Tombia, and other communities classified as flood flashpoints.
He further ordered immediate commencement of sand-filling at flood relief camps in Biseni (Yenagoa Local Government Area) and Obirigbene (Ekeremor Local Government Area).
Also, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure was tasked with demolishing and rebuilding a structurally defective drainage culvert at Arietalin in Yenagoa to prevent recurrent flooding in the area.
Ewhrudjakpo responded to reports of temporary flooding around the Igbogene axis, which was linked to sand-filling activities near the new stadium.
He directed the commissioners of works, infrastructure, and sports, along with officials of the flood control directorate, to visit the site and submit recommendations for appropriate intervention.
The meeting featured technical briefings from Mr Wilson Omuso, Director-General, Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, and chairmen of Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Ekeremor local government areas.