An international environmentalist and rights activist, Musa Saidu has reiterated his appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide assistance to Bayelsa state to help cushion the effect of the devastating flood in the state.

Saidu who is the Coordinator and Special Envoy, Ecology and Marine, Africa of the International rights Commission, IHRC, said the flood was a reoccurring problem in the state, pleading that the federal government should support the state to find a permanent solution to it.

He recalled that in the 90s the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero and several others, including himself were among those invited to raise funds to address the problem.

He said it had become necessary for the federal government to urgently intervene, stressing that the problem was beyond the capacity of the Bayelsa state government to handle alone.

He also lashed at the recent comment by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq on the flood situation in Bayelsa state where he said she sounded like she was downplaying the sad situation.

Alleging that the Minister overstepped her bounds, Saidu said her job line as a Minister does not include assessing flood situation but that of the Ministry of Environment.

He also advised residents of Bayelsa and other areas that were displaced by the flood to ensure they fumigate their houses before moving in again.