Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has assured flood-impacted residents of Eneka and Rukpoku of continued government support to cushion the effects of the disaster.
Media aide to the Deputy Governor, Owupele Benebo said, Odu gave the assurance on Wednesday, during visits to the affected communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, following a directive by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the committee to intensify interventions.
At Eneka, the Deputy Governor said the Governor was deeply concerned about the situation and had directed the committee to take immediate steps to address the plight of affected residents.
She said the committee had identified the obstruction and alteration of existing waterways and canals as some of the possible causes of the flooding.
Odu disclosed that the committee found that efforts were being made to reclaim part of a canal in Rumuomasi, warning that such activities could worsen flooding if allowed to continue.
She added that residents of New Jerusalem Estate, Eneka, reported that water had been wrongly re-channelled into the estate, resulting in the flooding of several buildings.
The Deputy Governor said the findings would be presented to Governor Fubara, after which the Ministry of Works would engage the affected communities and estate management on measures to restore proper drainage channels.
She also announced that the government would provide immediate palliatives to affected families and directed that the names of affected households be compiled to facilitate further assistance.
In a related development, Odu visited Rukpoku Community, where she distributed palliatives to affected residents at the palace of the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Collins Ogwu III.
She said Governor Fubara, who recently returned to the country, was concerned about the devastation caused by the floods and had directed the committee to intensify its intervention.
“We share in your pain. The Governor wants you to know that the Government cares and has not left you alone,” she said.
Odu assured residents that the government would return on Friday with additional assistance, stressing that its intervention would go beyond the distribution of palliatives.
She further disclosed that the Ministries of Environment and Works would investigate the causes of the flooding in Rukpoku and other affected areas and work towards implementing permanent solutions.
The Deputy Governor attributed part of the recurring flooding to blocked drains and construction on waterways, urging residents to cooperate with the government by keeping drainage channels and waterways free of obstructions.
Responding on behalf of the Paramount Ruler, Chief Frank Nwachukwu thanked Governor Fubara for remembering the Rukpoku community and extending support to residents during the difficult period.
