In a bid to ease the suffering of residents impacted by recent floods, the Rivers State Government has distributed essential relief items across the flood-hit Orashi region and other affected localities. The devastating floods have severely disrupted daily life, inundating roads, homes, farmlands, and commercial centers in communities like Abua/Odual, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada West, and Ahoada East. Additional communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area, such as Umuodina, Umobiri, and Umuokwito, along with Rumuekini in Obio-Akpor, Eneka, and Rukpoku, are also facing substantial flooding.
Under the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, relief materials have been swiftly mobilized and distributed directly to flood victims. Essential supplies, including mattresses, food items like rice, garri, and cooking oil, are being delivered directly to affected residents through the oversight of local council chairmen. This move addresses past concerns about relief material diversion, aiming to ensure support reaches those in immediate need.
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Speaking from Port Harcourt, Prof. Odu emphasized that the government is working to bridge the gap in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, which remain limited in some flood-ravaged areas. She described flood management as a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local authorities, who are actively coordinating to mitigate the impact and foster resilience.
Local government chairmen are being urged to take proactive steps, including clearing drainage systems and raising flood awareness within their communities. Prof. Odu reaffirmed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to the welfare of flood victims, emphasizing that the government prioritizes improving living conditions amid the crisis.
Additionally, the state is preparing for post-flood support initiatives, which include healthcare, agricultural aid, and financial assistance to help affected residents rebuild their lives.
