Floods Displace 830,000 In Rivers …As Jonathan Visits Camps

Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Relief Committee, Engr
Tele Ikuru has disclosed that the number of flood victims has risen from
670,582 to 830,000 while communities affected are now 183 from 150.

Ikuru, who is also Deputy Governor of the state, therefore,
called on the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to redouble its
efforts in the provision of relief materials to affected people in the state.

Donating relief items including 500 units of matresses, 200
bags of rice, beans, vegetable oil, clothing, mosquito nets, among others, NEMA
Director of Training, Mr. Daniel Gambo commended the state government for
taking adequate steps in camping and catering for the welfare of the flood
victims, promising that more relief materials would be sent to the state.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the
Rivers State Government for promptly addressing the plight of communities and
persons affected by the ravaging floods in the past two weeks.

The President gave the commendation on Saturday while
addressing flood victims in the state camped at Model Primary School,Mbiama in
Ahoada West Local Government Area.

Jonathan said he was impressed by what he had seen,” It is
clear that your Governor is doing well, ‘’ as he praised the efforts of the state
Government in ameliorating the effects of the disaster so far.

President Jonathan, has assured flood affected communities
in Rivers of Federal Government’s support to cushion the effect of the
disaster.

The president gave the assurance at Mbiama in Ahoada-West
Local Government Area of Rivers on Saturday shortly after he visited the
flood-impacted areas in the state.

Our correspondent
reports that several communities in Ahoada-West, Ahaoda East, Abua and
Ogba/Egema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of the state are currently flooded.

He said that the Federal Government was poised to come to
the aid of all the affected communities nationwide.

In his remarks, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, described the
president’s visit as a “clear indication of his responsiveness to the yearnings
of the people.’’.

“I acknowledge the receipt of the money given to us, I
assure you that it will be used judiciously and for the reason it was given,’’
he said.

Accompanied by Governors of Rivers, Rt. Hon. Chibuike
Amaechi and Bayelsa, Hon Seriake Dickson as well as Senator Clever Ikisipko,
Hon. Uche Ekwunefu and Minister for State, Education, Nyesom Wike,  Jonathan, who flew over four flood devastated
local government areas lamented the current flood ravaging parts of the state,
saying it was the worst since its creation.”

This is the first time since 1969 that the state would be
experiencing such level of flooding’’, he stressed.

He assured that the Federal Government would do all it could
to help the people return back to their normal lives immediately after the
floods, promising to supply them with all the planting seedling and  tools that would help them settle back to
their normal farmsteads.

On his part, Governor Chibuike Amaechi while reviewing the
condition of the camps so far, said the government would do all it could to
ensure effective medical and good sanitation conditions to the flood victims,
enjoining the people to ensure proper sanitary condition of their environment.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Flood Relief Committee has
provided 20 cows, bags of garri, rice, yam tubers tomatoes, beans, blankets,
mattresses and pillows, firewood, buckets among others, to serve the victims in
22 camps in the four local government areas of the state.

Ikuru said that the number of camps has been increased from
15 to 22, adding that the least number of victims in each camp was 300.

The Tide however confirmed during a visit to model primary
school, Ahoada, Ubie street has over 5,000 persons drawn from nine affected
communities in Ahoada East, including Ola-Ikata, Ikata, Ochigba, Ozechi,
Ihubuluku, Okoghuladu, Edohia, Okporowo and Ihuike.

Speaking with The Tide, the co-ordinator of the camp, Titus
Moses called for more camps to reduce the over-crowding, saying that over
crowding in the camp could cause more harm to the people’s health.

Enoch Epelle

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Rep. Uche Ekwunife, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State,Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the President's visit to flooded areas in Rivers State, on Saturday