Rivers To Experience 288 Days Of Rains -NEMA

If predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) are anything to go by, Rivers State will experience 288 days of rainfall this year.

South-South cordinator, National Emergency Managment Agency (NEMA), Emenike Umesi, who disclosed this during the state flood enlightenment campaign visit to Degema and Asari Toru Local Government Areas of the state, said that the heavy rainfall will destroy houses, farmlands, and called on fishermen to watch out for boat mishaps as a result of rainstorm.

Also speaking, the South-South Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Emenike Emesi, represented by the Desk Officer, Mr Dennis Egwu, urged the flood committee chairmen to identify higher grounds in their various communities where they are to assemble for easier emergency evacuation, and appealed to the indigenes of the area to cooperate with the rescue teams.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Government has identified clogging of drainage with refuse, building over drainage and erecting structures along shorelines as the major causes of flooding.

Addressing participants in continuation of the flood enlightenment campaign organised by the Ministry of Special Duties at Degema and Akuku-Toru Council Secretariat, Special Duties Commissioner, Barr Dickson Umunakwe noted that these factors hinder the smooth flow of water and warned against such practices to avoid floods.

Determined to forstall loss of lives following this year’s flood prediction by the Nigeria Meterological Agency (NIMET) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Barr Umunakwe said the state government would deploy six speed boats each, in the five flood- prone LGA’s of the state for easier evacuation and a marine ambulance stationed at the Orashi River in Ahoada West LGA for first hand medicare

‘’The issue of flooding is multi-dimensional, we will also partner with the lining ministries including Power, Water, Health, Environment, Housing who will provide the needed facilities for the comfort of the flood victims at the camps’’ he said.

On the issue raised during the interactive session of communal erosion in Ke and Bille communities in Degema LGA, the Commissioner said he would report to the Governor for prompt intervention and urged the people to take advantage of the flood sensitization so as to minimize the loss and impact associated with flooding.

On her part, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dame Mina Benebo called for safe keeping of vital documents before the flood steps in and the compliance with all the flood emergency procedures as enlisted in the flood leaflets including the use of help lines in the case of any emergency.

In their responses, Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon Ibigoni Daddy Pokima and his Akuku-Toru countertpart, Hon Theodore Samuel Georgewill thanked the Commissioner for the sensitization and assured him of their cooperation to make their effort succeed.

The campaign continues at Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni  and Abua/Odual LGAs next Tuesday .