2020 Flood and urgent need to close all Schools again – Alagoa Morris

Bayelsa State Government, flood induced closure of schools has become most necessary. Please close the schools.

This year’s flood is another very high one and, several communities in Bayelsa State are already contending with the negative impacts.

The photos here are representing the school environment in Ikarama community of Okordia Clan in Yenagoa local government area.

The people of Biseni raised alarm over a week ago and the flood level has continued to rise.

Communities like Adagbabiri in Sagbama local government area and Amassoma in Southern Ijaw local government area are no different; seriously flooded. This is also the case in some communities in Yenagoa and environs; like parts of Igbogene, Akenfa, Akenpia, Edepie, Okutukutu, Swali, Obogoro. Communities in Ogbia local government area are not spared.

Families are groaning under the weight of the negative impacts of the 2020 flood in Bayelsa State. Apart from feeding and places to sleep, sending children to school, wading through flooded streets and going to flooded school premises would be wasted and dangerous exercise; a burden on parents too.

This is not the first and won’t be the last. How the authorities reacts in future would determine how things would be. However, it is pertinent to once again call on the Bayelsa State government to close all schools until the flood recedes and allow free movement. Closing the schools, public and private for the next three weeks won’t be a bad idea. At least we have scaled through the Covid-19 induced restrictions and closure. This one is flood induced closure; in the interest of our children and concern for safety of families, including teachers and non-academic staff.

Government should, please do the needful asap.

Alagoa Morris is a concerned Bayelsan and community Rights campaigner. Writes from Yenagoa…

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