THE PUNCH

The Bayelsa State Government has commissioned a study group of experts as a major initiative to mitigate perennial flooding and reduce the suffering of residents during annual flood in the state.

To this end, the government has divided the group into seven teams as well as segment Yenagoa and its environs into seven areas for each team to undertake a thorough investigation of the yearly natural disaster.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Moses Teibowei, said this on Thursday when he conducted the experts round some critical but blocked natural water channels criss-crossing the state capital.

He said the Governor Douye Diri administration had decided to tackle frontally the challenge of massive flooding in the state.

Teibowei noted that the governor had also mandated the state-owned Niger Delta University to establish an institute of flood and erosion to specifically train manpower in related fields.

While shedding more light on the government’s initiative, he said, “The essence of this exercise by the government is to look at the challenge the people are facing in terms of flooding.

“We are using our own experts in the fields of engineering, surveying and mapping as well as environmentalists to proffer solutions to mitigate the issue of perennial flooding, not only in Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State, but also in our communities.”

According to him, the study group will go beyond visits to appropriate sites and come up with a report detailing suggestions, surveys, designs, cost implications and implementation plans, which will be presented to the governor for action.