MON, 17 OCT, 2022-theGBJournal| Official death toll from the surging flood is now put at well over a thousand and rising. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) estimates that 2.5 million people across the country have already been affected by what is now regarded as the worst environmental disaster in Africa.
The entire Niger Delta Delta states is devastated by the surging flood with hundreds of towns and villages swept away.
Bayelsa is among the worst hit states in the country and State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has cried out to the Federal Government ”to show empathy towards the plight of the Niger Delta states, particularly Bayelsa in order to mitigate the flood situation facing the people.”
“At this point, it is a natural disaster and there is very little that anybody can do,’’ he said after his recent tour to Amassoma, Igbedi, Tombia, other towns in the state ravaged by the flood.
The flooding has further aggravated the sufferings of the most vulnerable citizens in times of crisis-women and children.
In some towns and villages across in Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Anambra, Rivers, Delta and Beyelsa, theG&BJournal witnessed swallowed houses, submerged roads and washed-out millions of hectares of farm lands by the floodwater. Millions of livestock have been killed with acres of crops destroyed.
The risk of occurrence of animal diseases has significantly increased and in some areas, already manifesting. Expats say this will significantly impact animal production and ultimately food security and nutrition levels of livestock-based livelihoods.
Nigerians are calling on the federal government to declare a ‘state of emergency’ in areas affected.
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