Tina Amanda
The Rivers state government has assured the over 1000 victims of flood displacement at the Okogbe camp that it will do its best to tackle their distress situation.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of special duties, Clapton Ogolo stated this when she led a team of the management staff of the ministry on a visit to Okogbe IDP camp in AHOADA West local government area.
According to her, several works are in progress at the Okogbe camp to make the place conducive for living, while urging the victims to be patient with the government.
“Unfortunately, while we are yet working, they moved in. So the camp was not good before they moved in. It is understandable they are people in distress that is why they couldn’t wait for us to finish.
“We are installing boreholes for portable water supply in the camp. I am also aware that we have given them some mosquito nets, but I cannot say they are sufficient because more people keep coming in every day.
“I know that soonest, they will be stabilized when other camps have absorbed as many people as possible”
On her part, National Coordinator The Beautiful Daughters Development Foundation, Faith Ben Athanasius, who also brought relief materials with her group, urged well-meaning Nigerians to join the state government to assist the flood displaced persons.
“The only way we can encourage the flood victims is to come to their rescue by bringing some relief materials to them.
“They are our children, mothers, fathers and loved ones. It is a way to support the Rivers state government because there is a lot to do.
“I call on the public to join hands to encourage these displaced persons with whatever thing they can afford”
Speaking to our reporter Tina Amanda, the flood victims appealed to the government, NGOs, agencies and multinational companies operating within their communities to come to their aid and support them with food, drugs and security in the various camps.
They also expressed concerns that the communities are yet to recover from the same flood disaster in 2012 which destroyed their houses leaving them homeless.
