Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has disclosed that the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a ₦200,000 cash stipend for 35 households affected by the recent flooding at Edmac Estate, Mercy Land, Nkpolu Extension, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.
She disclosed this while receiving a delegation of residents of the Estate at the Government House, Port Harcourt, today.
According to her, the Governor approved the financial assistance following the devastating impact of the flood, which forced some residents to evacuate their homes.
She said the State Government had earlier provided food and other relief items to affected residents and enrolled them in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) to ensure access to healthcare.
The Deputy Governor said the cash assistance was part of the Governor commitment to supporting vulnerable victims of flooding across the State.
“His Excellency has said that beyond giving you food items and providing health insurance, we should look for a little stipend to give to a certain number, especially the most vulnerable people”, Prof. Odu said.
She explained that the first phase of the intervention would benefit 35 households, adding that beneficiaries had already begun receiving alerts for the ₦200,000 payment.
Odu assured the residents that the State Government would work with the Ministries of Environment and Works to identify permanent solutions to the recurring flooding in the area.
She noted that the low-lying nature of the Estate contributed to its vulnerability to flooding, while stressing that some of the problems were also human-induced.
She urged residents to complement Government efforts by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding practices that could obstruct waterways and drainage channels.
Recent desilting and clearing of culverts in the area, she continued, had already improved the flow of water.
Prof. Odu stated the inclusive nature of the State Government’s flood intervention programme, stressing that assistance was not restricted to Rivers indigenes.
“We are not saying it should only be Rivers people. We are not saying that it should only be indigenes. We are doing it for everybody that resides in Rivers State”, she said.
She commended members of the Flood Prevention and Management Committee, particularly officials of the Ministries of Environment and Works, for their commitment to implementing the Governor’s directive.
She also assured residents that the committee would continue to identify areas requiring urgent intervention and provide assistance to communities severely affected by flooding across the State.
Responding, the Head of Security in the Estate, Hilarry Uba, commended the State Government for its intervention and relief efforts for residents affected by the recent flooding.
He said the intervention had lifted the spirits of affected families, who, despite the hardship caused by the flood, remained grateful for the Government’s prompt response.
“On behalf of the residents and the people of this area, I bring our warm appreciation to the Government, especially the leadership, for coming to our aid at this difficult time”, he said.
Also speaking on behalf of the flood victims, Cliff Jarrell, an American humanitarian residing in the Estate, thanked the State Government for its efforts in responding to the plight of residents affected by the disaster.
“We want to sincerely appreciate you personally, your very active team, top Government functionaries gathered here and the Executive Governor of this State”, he said.
On her part, Amarachi Echele, a widow, thanked the Governor for extending what she described as a “milk of human kindness” to the affected residents.
- Benebo is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor.