Declare flooding national emergency, Diri tells FG

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on the ravaging flood that has devastated lives and property in the state and other parts of the country.

The governor made the appeal at an emergency security council meeting in Yenagoa.

Diri said the meeting was organised to brainstorm with heads of various security agencies to assess the situation holistically and seek ways to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, the governor lamented the magnitude of this year’s flooding, which he noted had surpassed that of 2012.

He said, “This year’s flooding has surpassed that of 2012, which is the highest we have witnessed so far. It has become a security emergency.

“I am of the opinion that the Federal Government should declare a national security emergency to tackle this flood situation headlong. Nigerians in the different states ravaged by the floods are suffering. People have had their property destroyed and rendered homeless. Farmlands have been destroyed, resulting in hike in the prices of foodstuff. We are facing a food security crisis. This is an emergency situation that requires action from the Federal Government.

“Bayelsa is below sea level and when the flood comes, virtually everywhere is flooded. Even the Government House is being threatened.”

Diri also noted that the flooding had severely impacted communities, homes and road infrastructure, which had resulted in the state being cut off from neighboring states of Rivers and Delta states.