Environment
Rainfall And Flooding In Rivers
The news media, both the electronic and print is awash with reports of flooding in some communities in Rivers State.
If the reports are any thing to go by, then, some of these communities are in for a hard time especially as the rains continue to fall daily.
It would be recalled that in the last two weeks, businesses and other activities were grounded in Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs following the increase of rainfall while most communities are crying out as the rainfall has resulted to flooding in their various areas.
Recently, the ever busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway was cut off to traffic following a massive flooding at the Market Junction, Rumuomasi following a heavy down pour. Similarly, some communities are now raising alarm over the spate of flooding in their areas.
Some of these communities include Nkpolu, Rumuigbo, Ogbogoro, Rumualogu, Rumuoholu, Eneka, Rumukwuchi, Rumuosi, Igbo Etche, among others.
Residents of these communities told newsmen that the situation has rendered them homeless as well as affected their sources of livelihood.
One of the residents of Ogbogoro, Mrs. Blessing Anyaogu who lamented the situation said that she has lost all what she has to the incident.
She particularly said that her poultry business has been affected, stressing that she has nothing to fall back on.
Another resident who gave his name as Nathan Amadi said that the flood has rendered many people homeless, stressing that the timely intervention by the authorities will save the situation.
Also speaking with The Tide, Prof. Mark Anikpo of the University of Port Harcourt decried the incessant flooding in Nkpolu community, stressing that the situation has led to mass exodus of people out of the community.
The Professor of Sociology who urged for the urgent intervention of the government on the situation also called for strict measures against the continuous building of structures on water right of ways.
He also warned against the continuous dumping of refuse in water channels which, he said is worsening the situation as water no longer flows freely.
Apart from the communities, traders at the Mile I Market also noted that they are being affected by flooding.
They reasoned that at every rainfall, the market is always covered by water, stressing that this is affecting their businesses. One of the traders, Mrs Theresa Ugechi said some of her colleagues have had their businesses shut down as a result of the incessant flooding of the market.
“The government should find solution to this problem, because it has really affected the market and the customers.
It has affected mostly the people that sell in front of the market because once it rains heavily, the flood stops them from selling their goods and this leads to profit loss for them,” she said.
Another respondent, Mrs. Ugochi Rubi said that the underground drains need to be properly desilted as it has been blocked by refuse.
She observed that for some time now, no water runs out from the drains as a result of heavy blockade by refuse, stressing that, “even when it is not raining, water always come out from the drains.”
Also speaking, an indigene of Chinwo Town in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Prince William Chinwo attributed the situation to the unusual rainfall, stressing that the rains seem to be heavier this year than previous years.
Chinwo, who said that climate change is responsible for it also urged the people to desist from further unfriendly environmental practices such as dumping of refuse into the gutters and building on water right of ways.
He also urged the people to assist the government by keeping their environment clean. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has assured communities ravaged by flooding of its surpport.
Commissioner for Works, Hon. Dunamene Dekor gave the assurance when he visited some flood -ravaged communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The Commissioner said that the government would construct a canal at the Nkpolu junction and warned against the continuous building of structures on water right of ways.
John Bibor & Joy Tekenah
Environment
Akpor Residents Decry New Wave Of Flooding
A new wave of flooding in some communities of Akpor Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local GovernmentArea of Rivers State has raised a great concern to residents as they have expressed apprehension, as rainy season is gradually setting in.
Some of the affected communities such as Rumuosi, Rumuekini and Ozuoba, have been witnessing flooding each time it rains, as water could not find exit routes after raining, because the drainages are completely blocked.
The Tide observed that many compounds, especially in Rumuosi and some parts of Rumuekini experience flooding when there is serious rainfall.
Reacting to the situation, an opinion leader in the area, Rev. Simeon Echeonwu, lamented that the construction company, Julius Berger, handling the Port Harcourt Ring-Road project did not provide alternative outlet for water to flow out, hence the flooding.
“ You can see that the gutters are all blocked because of ongoing construction work for the Ring Road project, but my worry and concern is that the Julius Berger handling the project ought to consider creating alternative passage for water.
“ For sure rain must fall in course of executing the project, but when there is an outlet for water, there must be flooding as all drainages are blocked.
“ Something needs to be done fast to address this problem before the rainy season sets in, so that people can have access to their homes”, he said.
Meanwhile, those that do business within the Rumuekini, Rumuosi and Ozuoba junctions are not spared, as flood takes over the areas of their businesses whenever it rains heavily.
According to a cosmetic shop operator, Chima Divine, the flooding affects business, and takes some time to clear.
“ I think that the best thing to be done is for Julius Berger to create a temporary relief while the construction work goes on. This will help residents and business operators not to let water enter their homes, for more rainfall will come, and this is Rivers State”, he stated.
As at the time of filing this report, the authorities of Julius Berger could not be immediately reached, but an anonymous source disclosed that the company was embarking on a remedial work on some streets, so as to control flooding.
The company’s source disclosed that some graders machines have been deployed to some streets for that purpose.
By: Corlins Walter
Environment
Women Group Tasks Society On Climate Change
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Kebetkache Women Development Centre, has called for collective action to address incidences of climate change in the country.
The group said this in a press release made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
According to the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Centre, Dr Emem Okon, addressing the pressing issue of climate crisis requires collective action and a focus on its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly women in frontline communities.
She said by collaborating and implementing effective strategies, “we can not only mitigate the consequences of climate change but also promote gender equality and social justice. Hence, Kebetkache collaborated with the National Council on Climate Change to enhance her institutional capacity and that of her allied organisations and networks on the National Determinants Contributions (NDCs) framework, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to promote increased advocacy, access to the GCF and amplify the voices of women for a gender just climate action in collaboration with the state government and local authorities in the Niger Delta.”
Okon said, ‘‘as part of our efforts in mobilising women for climate and environmental justice, kebetkache is uniting and empowering individuals across the globe to address the pressing environmental challenges we face every day.
“By advocating for sustainable practices, policy changes, and social equity, Kebetkache aims to create a more just and resilient future for both present and future generations. Our collective efforts will ensure that the voices of women and marginalised communities are heard, and together, we can foster a healthier and more inclusive world for all,” she said.
By: John Bibor
Environment
Thousands Rendered Homeless As Storm Wrecks Havoc In Rivers
Tens of thousands of people were rendererd homeless while property worth millions of naira destroyed in Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of Rivers State as rainstorm recently wrecked havoc in the two local government areas.
Sources informed The Tide that collosal damages were caused by the natural disaster in the areas.
The Tide also learnt that economic trees such as mangoes, oranges and others were also pulled down by the storm.
As at the time of filing this report more than 20 communities had been affected by the natural disaster in the areas.
According to eyewitness account, several buildings were either deroofed or pulled down by the storm across Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro local govermrnt areas.
Some of the communities affected in Andoni include Ngo, Oyorokoto, Ekede and Ikuru Town.
Also affected are Okoroboile, Chiekmoluk, Oboloiluk, Agbama, Otuokporo, Ebukumaija and Okoloile. Also, some fishing settlements along the Ikuru Town beach were also affected by the storm.
The Tide learnt that the storm deroofed some buildings at Opobo Town, and all its satellite communities including Minima, Okpukpo, Queenstown Epelema and others.
A resident of Obolo Iluk Mr Taibi Sunday told The Tide in a telephone interview that some economic trees were pulled down in the community.
Giving a break down of damages caused by the disaster in the area, Sunday said 21 houses were pulled down in Obolo Iluk, nine in Agbama , nine at Otuokporo and nine at Ebukumaija amongst others. local government Council and the State Government to come to their aide.
Also speaking Mr Ataisi lucky from Ekede lamented the level of destruction caused by the storm in the community.
He said it was the first time the community is suffering such large scale destruction by windstorm
Also at Ngo chief Adaiyibo Unyeawaji told the Tide via the telephone that his house was affected.
He said part of his roof was pulled out by the storm.
He said the situation has inflicted hardship on the people, adding that with the current high cost of building materials,it would be difficult for some of the affected persons to rebuild their houses.
He called on the government and public spirited individuals including non governmental organizations to come to their aide by assisting them with Zinc and other building materials.
At Ebukuma,Mr Emmanuel David Gogonte confirmed that his house was affected.
He said he lost more than fifty sheets of Zinc to the storm reacting to the incident in a telephone interview with The Tide ,The Executive Chairman of Andoni local Government Area Dr Erastus Awortu confirmed the incident adding that a team from the Council has been sent to assess the level of damages caused by the storm in all the Communities.
He said based on available information the situation is beyond the capacity of the Council to handle but added that the Council is working hard to rebuild the Corpers lodge destroyed by the storm at Ikuru Town.
By: John Bibor
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