Bayelsa, NIHSA partner over flooding

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa on Sunday.

Wills told NAN that the state government was employing the services of NIHSA’s experts to monitor water flows and water levels in the state.

He said that the state government’s measure was sequel to the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency of possible flood disaster in some states, including Bayelsa this year.

The commissioner said officials of Bayelsa government and NIHSA had worked out plans to ensure that early warnings were generated and acted upon by residents in the areas likely to be affected.

He said the measure was to prevent avoidable damage and loss of lives and property by ensuring that people relocated from the flood-prone areas before the flood occurred.

Wills said, “We are working with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency to know the current situation with water flows in view of the release of water from Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

“We are taking proactive steps to avert the experience of 2012 and its unpleasant effect on Bayelsa.

“So, we are closely monitoring the hydrology of Bayelsa and studying salt water intrusion into the fresh water bodies within the state.

“The hydrological services agency is also undertaking the mapping of fresh water-salt water interface in Bayelsa.”

Wills explained that the government was doing all these to be able to alert the people of any impending flooding.