Senator representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, Seriake Dickson, on Friday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently mobilise national assets for immediate rescue operations in Bayelsa State as a result of the escalating flood disaster.

He also urged the Federal Government to rise to the aid of the troubled people through urgent deployment of relief items and medical supplies to the state.

The immediate-past governor of Bayelsa said it was imperative for the military to participate effectively in the rescue efforts and management of camps and medical services in the state, a large part of which is underwater amidst rising water levels.

He spoke on Friday as the rampaging flood cut off the critical Amassoma Road, which leads to state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), the Bayelsa International Airport and adjoining communities from the state capital, Yenagoa.

Similarly, the flood cut off the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road into two, thereby making the second state university- University of Africa, Toru-Orua- and the stats Polytechnic Aleibiri, Ekeremor Local Government Area, inaccessible.

The flood has also cut off the East-West Road at the Delta State and the Rivers State sections, thereby, isolating Bayelsa from other parts of the county.

Dickson stressed that people’s sources of livelihood and businesses have been destroyed with thousands of people and communities, including the greater part of the state capital, displaced and in desperate conditions.

The senator said that as a former governor, who managed three major flood incidents in Bayelsa, in 2012, 2016, and 2020, he was aware of the magnitude of challenges involved in managing the flood and its aftermath.

While calling for understanding and for support for the government of the state to maintain order during the trying period, he sympathized with all the citizens who are victims of the natural disaster and condoled those who lost loved ones.

Dickson further urged the federal and state governments to treat the flood disaster as a major issue that requires adequate attention for now.

He also appealed to faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to come to the rescue of Bayelsa.

The senator observed that the state government would need every support on the rehabilitation of the destroyed road and other infrastructure after the flood.