ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Senator representing Bayelsa West, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to mobilize the military assets for immediate rescue operations in Bayelsa, to combat the worsening flood menace in the state.
The former Governor also called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy relief items and medical supplies to the State, for affected ones.
He sympathized with the people and government of the state, and called for the full mobilization and deployment of the military, para military and related agencies.
Senator Dickson stressed that it was imperative for the military to participate effectively in the rescue efforts and management of camps and medical service in the State, a large part of which is under water amidst rising water levels.
He made the appeal as the rampaging flood chopped off the critical Amassoma Road and cut off the Niger Delta University and the Bayelsa International Airport and adjoining communities from the State Capital.
Also, the flood cut the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road into two thereby making the second State University, the University of Africa, Toru Orua and the State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Ekeremor Local Government Area inaccessible.
Similarly, the flood has also cut off the East /West Road at the Delta State and the Rivers State axis thereby isolating the state from other parts of the county.
Also, most internal roads within and outside the State capital have been submerged and cut off thereby making movement in and out of the state impossible.
Dickson lamented that people’s sources of livelihood and businesses have been destroyed with thousands of people within communities including the greater part of Yenagoa the state capital, displaced and in desperate conditions.
He said that as a former Governor who managed three major flood incidents in Bayelsa, in 2012, 2016, and 2019, he was aware of the magnitude of challenge involved in managing the flood and its aftermath.
The former governor further called for understanding and for support for the Government of the State to maintain order during the trying period.
He sympathized with victims of the flood and those that lost their loved ones, and called on the Federal and State Governments to treat this flood disaster as the major issue that should be the focus of attention for now.
Dickson further appealed to faith based organizations, non- governmental organisations, corporations and public spirited individuals to come to the rescue of the State.