The Bayelsa State Government has forewarned the residents that if the prediction of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs comes true, five local government areas in the state may be submerged by floods.
The state government said the local government areas to be affected, according to the ministry’s prediction, are Brass, Nembe, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa and Sagbama.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhujakpor, made this known during projects inspection in the state between Friday and Saturday.
He said, “Brass, Nembe, Kolokuma/ Opokuma,Yenagoa and Sagbama LGAs of Bayelsa have been warned of an impending flood that may hit the areas soon.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had alerted the state government of the impending disaster.”
During the inspection tour, the commissioner also slammed the contractors handling the Glory Drive project at Igbogene area of the state for the slow pace of work.
Owing to the development, the visibly angry commissioner summoned the contracting firm,
Dantata & Sawoe, to appear in his office to explain the reason for handling the construction with levity.
Ewhrujakpor explained that with the rising water level near the Glory Drive Bridge, the road project could be endangered should the predicted floods come.
He, therefore, urged the contractors to speed up the construction work in order to deliver the project on scheduled date.
In another development, the commissioner also ordered mechanics and artisans, whose workshops were along the roads still under construction, to relocate or risk arrest.
The commissioner, who gave the directive while inspecting Opolo Road, said the order became necessary to ensure that the oil and other chemicals being used by the mechanics did not spill into the asphalt and dilute the materials.
He said while people had the right to pursue their legitimate businesses, no one should destroy something that was of economic value to everybody.
Projects visited during the tour included the flyover along the Sani Abacha Expressway; the Tower Hotel, Ecumenical Centre, and the international cargo airport.
