Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has announced additional relief measures for residents affected by the devastating floods in Eneka and other communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
She disclosed this yesterday when she visited the Palace of the Nyewe Eli of Eneka, His Royal Highness, Prof. Rowland Woko, to deliver relief materials to flood-affected residents in the community.
According to her, the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had directed the Committee to move beyond sending relief materials to Local Government Areas and reach communities that suffered the worst impact of the recent flooding, with food, non-food items and medicines being distributed directly as part of the State Government’s immediate intervention.
She said the flooding had become particularly severe in the past week, forcing residents to construct makeshift wooden bridges and use canoes to move around their communities.
Prof. Odu also announced that affected residents would be enrolled in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), with the government providing free medical treatment for one year.
She said vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children and persons living with disabilities, would continue to benefit from the scheme beyond the initial one-year period.
The Deputy Governor further disclosed that the Governor had approved additional financial assistance for some affected families, stressing that the government was also working towards addressing the root causes of recurring flooding in the affected communities in order to provide long-term interventions.
In his response, the Nyewe Eli of Eneka, His Royal Highness, Prof. Woko, who spoke through Prof. Echebiri Wobidi, expressed gratitude to the Governor for coming to the community’s aid with relief materials.
He described the recent flooding as the worst he had witnessed since birth, and appealed to the Rivers State Government to provide a permanent solution to the recurring menace.
Similarly, Prof. Odu assured continuous government support to flood victims in other affected communities.
She gave the assurance while inspecting flood-affected areas at Edmac Avenue, by Redeemers Secondary School, Mercy Land, Nkpolu, yesterday.
She said the State Governor was deeply concerned about the extent of damage caused by the recent heavy rains and had directed her team to visit critical areas, assess the situation and provide immediate assistance to affected residents.
According to her, the State Government was also addressing the environmental causes of flooding, including blocked drains and canals, broken culverts and structures erected on waterways.
Odu disclosed that the Ministries of Works and Environment were currently carrying out desilting and clearing blocked waterways across affected locations, using swamp-buggy equipment to improve water flow.
The Deputy Governor commended an American humanitarian, Cliff Jarrell, who has been part of the Nkpolu Community for the past 14 years, providing shelter and support to children affected by various challenges, including flooding and disclosed that more food and non-food items would be sent to the home.
Responding, Cliff Jarrell, who is also the Secretary of the Estate, said his humanitarian journey began when an orphaned child came to live with him.
According to him, the home has continued to accommodate vulnerable children who have nowhere else to turn, especially during periods of crisis.
He thanked the State Governor and the Prof. Odu-led Flood Prevention and Management Committee for their support.
- Benebo is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor.