RSG Braces Up Against Flooding

The Rivers State Government says there is no cause for alarm over the prediction by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that Port Harcourt and its environs will experience severe flooding before the end of this month.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli who said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after visiting flood-prone areas in Port Harcourt, said  the government is taking measures to forestall any flooding disaster in the state.

Weli said  the government has further empowered the flood committee to ensure that Port Harcourt and its environs did not witness any flood disaster, stressing that the administration is impressed with what the committee has done so far.

According to him, the government is impressed with the clearance of the Ntawogba creek and other drainages across the city, describing it as  part of   effort to improve on the standard of living of the people and to keep the neighbourhood clean.

“I believe that, this is part of the administration’s effort not only to improve on the standard of living of our communities and the people of Rivers State, but also to keep our neighbouhood clean. This is part of what this administration has done to make sure that as we bring development to the neighbourhood, we are able to protect individuals that are in these neighbourhood”, he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Rivers State Flood Management Committee, Prof Winston Bellgam, urged the people of the state to desist from further dumping of refuse in the gutters.

Bellgam also urged the press to assist the committee by enlightening the people against dumping of refuse in gutters and other unauthorised places.