02/07/2026
BYS DIRECTORATE OF FLOOD AND EROSION CONTROL PARTNERS ECARD
The Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, has pledged to partner the Environmental Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD), a non-governmental organization, to amplify its erosion and flood mitigation efforts across the state.
The Director General of the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, Surv. Wilson Omuso made the pledge on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when the executive members of Environmental Conservation, Agriculture and Rural Development, ECARD, paid a courtesy visit to the Directorate at its Secretariat beside Government House, Yenagoa.
Surv. Omuso noted that since the establishment of the Directorate in 2023, the state government has sustained its commitment to flood and erosion control, hence the Directorate would not hesitate to partner the organization.
The Director General explained that before the Directorate was created, only nine drainage channels had been identified for intervention, pointing out that the Directorate has since identified more channels, raising the total to 54, and has been working on them annually.
Omuso disclosed that this year's desilting exercise has commenced in Yenagoa and its environs, with about 30 percent of the work already completed.
On the Epie Creek, the Director General added that drone surveys conducted by the Directorate on the Creek revealed blockages obstructing water flow, and government plans to desilt the creek to improve drainage with available equipment.
Surv. Omuso also disclosed that the higherground pilot projects have been completed in four communities across two local government areas, with three in Ekeremor LGA and one in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, stating that the scheme would be replicated in other communities when the pilot proves successful.
The Director General further disclosed that a bill seeking to grant the Directorate full legal status has been drafted and forwarded to government for amendment and subsequent deliberation and passage.
The Chief Operating Officer of ECARD, Morris Alagoa, commended the state government for establishing the Directorate, stating that the move reflects the governor’s commitment to environmental issues.
He stressed the need for the Directorate to be backed by law and also empowered to exercise other powers necessary for effective flood mitigation such as addressing structures blocking water channels.
Mr. Alagoa urged the Directorate to collaborate with development partners such as NDDC and the South-South Development Commission to boost its flood and erosion control efforts.
On his part, the Programme Manager 1, ECARD, Mr. Henry Adike, highlighted the need for the Directorate to work closely with other MDAs, particularly the Ministry of Works, to ensure that road and building projects do not block or constrict water channels.
Mr. Adike said ECARD promotes a holistic environmental approach and called for sustained collaboration with the Directorate to protect the environment for present and future generations.
