The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the Federal Government to respond to the flooding menace in the country by building dams and dredging the rivers.
Diri, made the call at a meeting on Friday with first-class traditional rulers in the state, inside the Government House, Yenagoa.
He said the major river channels had become shallow and required dredging to enable them increase the volume of water received.
"The federal government must go beyond warning us about impending flood. They should dredge our rivers and build dams to check flood in Nigeria,” he said.
Following an appeal by chairman of the state’s traditional rulers council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the governor announced the lifting of the suspension on the Obanema (paramount ruler) of Otuokpoti community in Ogbia Local Government Area, King Azibakayam Wongo.
He said collaboration between the traditional institution and the state and local governments was important in order to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.
Governor Diri appreciated the monarchs for their support and assured that the doors of his administration were always open for their counsel while urging them to live above board.
He said: "We feel very honored for this privilege to have our fathers and traditional rulers come to visit us. As a government, we say thank you for coming. We appreciate this special visit.
"With the support of our traditional rulers and fathers, the truth of the last election prevailed. And the truth was that the election was transparent, free, and fair. And at the end of the day, there was a winner.
"For the issue of the suspended paramount ruler of Otuokpoti community. I took the decision against the paramount ruler because a serving commissioner was kidnapped in his domain, and he was indicted.
"But today, as my fathers who have come to intercede on his behalf, I lift that suspension placed on the paramount ruler.
"For your demands, a committee will be set up to look at all issues you have raised. And appropriate decisions will be taken that will make all of us happy”, Diri stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, explained that the visit was to felicitate with the governor on his victory at the Supreme Court, saying it reflected the wishes of people of the state.
The monarch also appreciated him for working closely with the traditional rulers and expressed their readiness to continue to collaborate with the government for the development of the state.
