Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has said the State Government is intensifying relief efforts for flood victims across the State, with priority given to the worst-affected communities.
She stated this yesterday, when she received a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt.
She said the recent floods had affected communities across the State, stressing that the disaster had no regard for political affiliation, social status or ethnicity.
According to her, the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, upon returning from the United Nations General Assembly in New York and learning of the worsening flood situation, directed the State Flood Prevention and Management Committee to immediately step up interventions in affected areas.
She said the State Government had so far deployed trucks loaded with food and non-food items to several Local Government Areas, adding that communities severely affected by the floods were receiving additional relief materials.
Odu disclosed that the Governor had also directed the provision of stipends to some flood victims, in addition to food and other relief items.
She commended NEMA and its Rivers State team for their prompt response to the State’s appeal, noting that the agency responded within hours of receiving the distress signal.
The Deputy Governor also highlighted the integration of the Rivers State Health Insurance Scheme into the flood response, saying flood-affected persons would receive free medical care.
She explained that beneficiaries would be registered and referred to nearby health facilities, while cases requiring specialist attention would be referred to higher-level hospitals, with the cost covered under the health insurance intervention.
According to the Deputy Governor, the health coverage is expected to run for at least one year, with eligible beneficiaries continuing to receive support thereafter.
She noted that the Government’s response was focused not only on immediate relief, food and healthcare, but also on addressing the underlying causes of flooding through the clearing of blocked waterways, improving drainage and preventing obstructions.
The Deputy Governor stressed the importance of collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments, as well as agencies such as NEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross, in tackling the flood emergency.
She noted that “flood does not know party affiliations,” adding that the Government would continue to ensure that no affected resident was left behind.
Prof. Odu further commended the NEMA Head of Operations in Rivers State and his team for their seamless collaboration with the State Government in responding to the flood emergency.
Speaking during the visit, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, who was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, said the agency was in Rivers State to sympathise with the State Government and people affected by the disaster.
He said NEMA had commenced an assessment of some flood-affected communities and areas in collaboration with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (RSEMA) and other stakeholders.
He stated that NEMA would reinforce the capacity of RSEMA and other agencies involved in the response operation, adding that he would remain in the State for some time to supervise the intervention.
According to him, NEMA was also in Rivers State to provide relief materials to communities affected by the flooding.
He assured that the Federal Government, through NEMA, would continue to collaborate with the Rivers State Government and RSEMA to ensure timely response and intervention in flood emergencies.
- Benebo is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor.