The Chief Whip, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Obedient Emoto, has called on the Federal Government to build shore protection in riverine communities to forestall flooding in the Niger Delta.

Emoto gave the advice in an interview with The Tide  after inspecting 18 flooded communities in Ogbia Constituency II, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.

According to him, the situation here is pathetic, my people are dying. We need urgent government intervention.

“ Let the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission, commence the construction of shore protection in our communities.

“As I speak now, 18 communities in Ogbia have been submerged by flood. This is our experience every season.

“The shore protection will no doubt help check this annual flooding of our communities,’’ he said.

Emoto said that the appeal became imperative following the devastating effect of the flood which ravaged communities in the hinterland and displaced the people and explained that the flood, which had caused untold hardship to the Ogbia people, had destroyed homes, livestock and fish ponds, as well as properties worth millions of naira.

He sympathised with the paramount rulers and people of the communities and urged them to be steadfast and be their brothers’ keeper in these trying times.

The Tide reports that at Ologi community, the home of the lawmaker, many of the villagers had taken refuge in the only one-storey building in the community while

Many other residents also used canoes to escape to neighbouring communities.

Emoto commended the efforts of both the Federal and Bayelsa State Governments, for the provision of funds and relief materials to the flood victims.

He said the flooding had cut off the communities from food supply and medicine, adding that hunger, starvation and epidemics, now stare the people in the face.

The legislator noted that the temporary resettlement camp provided for the displaced persons at Ologoghe community was grossly inadequate for the victims.

“Many of our people are displaced and the camp at Ologoghe is grossly inadequate.

“Something urgent need to be done to save the people, including the thousands of children caught up in the flood with regard to the provision of food.’’