Flood:Delta Residents Resist Relocation

Residents of flood-prone areas in Delta State say they have no place to relocate to following an immediate evacuation order issued to communities living on the plains of the River Niger.

The Tide reports that last Monday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued an immediate evacuation order to residents living along the plains of River Niger.

The agency warned of the risk of unprecedented flooding of the River Niger plains due to water from the Kainji and Jebba hydro dams.

It urged residents of the communities to move to higher grounds for safety and listed Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Anambra and Delta states as those at risk.

Mr Richard Onwusa, a retired teacher and homeowner in the community, said the state government had yet to inform the community of their plans for those living in the flood prone areas.

“I have lived here for more than 30 years and some few years ago I have seen the River extend 10 to 20 metres beyond its bank, but not this enormous storm that is imminent.

“If government wants the evacuation order to be meaningful, they must rehabilitate those, who may be affected by the flood,’’ he said.

The Secretary of the Hausa Community, Malam Gambo Mohammed, urged the state government to urgently provide alternative shelter for residents, considering the seriousness of the flood threat.