Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has urged Federal Government to take necessary steps to support states in tackling the menace of flooding rather than issue just alerts.
Speaking in Government House, Yenagoa, yesterday, when he received the leadership of Obogoro community on a courtesy visit, Diri noted that tackling flood, erosion and other environmental challenges is costly and cannot be handled by states alone.
The governor said almost all communities in the state were affected by constant flooding and erosion, stressing that the government was doing everything within available resources to address the issue.
Diri said as part of efforts to tackle flooding and erosion, his administration has set up a flood and erosion control agency to proffer holistic solution to environmental issues.
He stated that the government was already addressing the coastal erosion in Obogoro community, in Yenagoa Council, assuring the people that lasting solution would be found to the menace.
The state’s helmsman thanked the leadership of Obogoro for toeing the path of dialogue instead of the protest planned by some persons in the community.
His words: “When we heard stories of protest, I asked where are my brothers in that community? If there is one community that has benefited from this state and this administration, it is Obogoro. At the end of the day, the leadership of the community rose to the occasion and I appreciate you for standing up.
“On the issue of erosion, you all know that most communities in the state are threatened, including my own community. For now, only Obogoro is receiving attention from government.
“When the action was too slow, I had to drag in the deputy governor and most of the issues are being resolved. There is no reason for anybody to resort to protest.
“In a state, it is communities that make up councils. So if they have issues, we have issues too.
“We are not in the business of playing politics with development. I have heard your requests and we will certainly take steps to bring lasting solution to the problem of erosion in Obogoro.”
Erosion affects almost all communities in Bayelsa. That is why we believe this is not a state government problem alone.
“We need Federal Government to play key roles. Federal Government issuing warning or alerts to states is not enough. You know we do not have the resources to tackle this issue. We need federal and international agencies to support us”