By Samuel OYADONGHA

YENOGOA – Troubled by the perennial problem of flooding and its devastating consequences on its citizens, Bayelsa State Government has solicited the assistance of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to help the state overcome the menace.

Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital alone has 13 water channels which ordinarily should have served as natural drains, but these channels instead serve as passage for influx of water from the Epie Creek and Ikoli River at the height of the flood season.

Only recently, a study conducted by the State Post Flood Committee on a proper method of drainage management in the state capital, proposed a flood gate to regulate the inflow of water into the Epie Creeks, to save the capital city from being sub-merged.

It was therefore not surprising when the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, seized the opportunity of the visit of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Ambassador Bert Ronhaar to Yenagoa, to solicit the expertise of the latter country which is also below sea level to address the flood menace, water management and environmental pollution.

Dickson, who spoke at a state banquet in honour of the envoy, noted with concern that oil bearing communities including those in Bayelsa State, have continued to bear the brunt of environmental degradation as a result of the activities of multi-national oil companies operating in the region.

While lauding the efforts of the Dutch Envoy for deepening and strengthening the cordial working relationship between the Netherlands and Nigeria, he appealed for his co-operation in tackling the problems as well as addressing serious issues of flood and erosion control as well as other related matters.

He also called on the envoy to help attract investors into the state by projecting Bayelsa positively to the outside world, noting that his administration’s determination to make the state a tourism and investment destination is fully on course.

“Ambassador, as you have come, you have seen the determination of our people to make a difference. You have also seen the peace and security of our state, and because you are here, where it matters most, this is just not the capital of a state, you are here in Bayelsa State, Yenagoa, the Glory of all Lands and the headquarters of the Ijaw nation.

“This is the centre of gravity of the Niger Delta, and is the real delta of the Niger Delta. We talked about our common desire to see how we can synergize to address some of the problems of development that our people are confronted with.”

Dickson frowned at the travel advisories of some Western embassies noting, “this is the irony, whereas their business interests work in our creeks far away making monies for this shareholders, Western embassies advise their citizens and tourists not to visit certain areas.

“Ambassador, I can tell you without any fear of contradictions, that Yenagoa where you are, that Bayelsa State where you are, is safer, more secure and more peaceful than many places, not only in Nigeria, but so many other countries of the world.”

Underscoring the strategic importance of utilizing the economic benefits that abound in the state, which spirals beyond the Nigerian market to the West African Sub-region and the entire Gulf of Guinea, the Governor noted that anybody that takes advantage will also enjoy economic control.