Bayelsa Communities Relocate As Sea Level Rises

Heavy rain in the past few days is now causing sharp rise in water levels of major rivers in Bayelsa State.
These include River Niger, Forcados, Nun and their tributaries.
The situation has heightened anxiety, tension and panic relocation of residents of coastal communities in the state, especially with the reported flooding of some parts of Northern states of Bauchi, Kogi, Benue and Niger, among others.
Reports from flood-prone local government areas such Sagbama, Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Kolokuma/Opokuma, part of Yenagoa, and Ogbia indicate that people have started making alternative arrangements to avoid the experience of last year.
A resident of Sagbama, Preye Garrick, said he has already taken precautionary measures by relocating his family to Ahoada in Rivers State, saying “if you know how I and my family lost most of our belongings last year, you won’t blame me.”
Chief Agama Lawson of Zarama, said he has already rented a two-bedroom flat at Yenagoa, while a journalist from Ekeremor said “since last year, I have not overcome the experience of last flood.”
Although, the impact of NIMET prediction that there will be another flooding in the country this year in most states, including Bayelsa, is yet to be felt, the State Post-Flood Management Committee headed by Chief Francis Doukpola has been taking pre-empty measures that would reduce the impact on the people, should there be repetition of such devastating flooding this year.
Some areas have already been marked as refugee camps while flood-prone communities have been told to be at alert in case they notice abnormal rise in sea levels.
Early last month, in a one-day workshop on flood management, most of the speakers had suggested, among other things, regular clearing of natural water channels, adequate information, proper drainage, education of residents of suspected areas of flooding and dredging of deep rivers.