Flooding: SEMA says Bayelsa records 96 deaths, over million people affected; Climate change spark food crisis fears in Nigeria

Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), has revealed that no fewer than ninety-six persons have lost their lives, with a total of one million, three hundred and forty-four thousand and fourteen persons affected directly by the devastating flood in the State.

Official data released also indicated that one million, two hundred and ten thousand, one hundred and eighty-three people were displaced from their houses.

Reports gathered that Yenagoa, the State’s capital, recorded 26 deaths which is the highest fatality figure so far.

Confirming the official data, the State’s SEMA Chairman, Hon. Walaman Igrubia said the collation of data from the field was still ongoing while observing that the heavy flood affected a number of farmlands, school buildings, health structures, and other facilities.

As Nigeria goes into 2023 with a focus on the general elections, stakeholders have advised the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of floods and climate change on food security.

They include financial experts, farmers, local and international organisations, and humanitarian groups.

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told West Africa’s powerhouse to prepare for the consequences of climate change.

“The supply of agricultural production is going to drop which will put further pressure on prices”, an African Department official, and

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu drew attention to the threat of climate change.

Moghalu noted that the “massive floods and herder/farmers conflict…partly fueled by climate change pressures” were clues of the implications.

Meanwhile, garri, plantain, cassava, rice, and beans are some of the most affected farm produce.