‘14 Rivers LGAs Risk Flooding’

The Federal Government has predicted that about 14 Rivers State communities may experience flooding this year.
This is based on the 2014 flood out look forecast released by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Nigeria Hydrological Agency.
The forecast also classified Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Akuku Toru local government areas as high risk flood areas this year.
The rest are Abua/Odual, Degema, Bonny, Andoni and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
Others are Tai, Emohua, Port Harcourt City, Etche, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika and Oyigbo local government areas.
Briefing newsmen on the prediction in his office, the Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, said that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that people in the flood – prone areas were not adversely affected by the effects of the impending flooding.
The Commissioner said that the forecast revealed that the impending flooding may be caused by the overflow of river banks as a result of heavy rainfall and other unfriendly environmental practices such as the construction of houses in water right of ways by the people.
He said that, the government was prepared this time around to ferry people to higher grounds while all rehabilitation camps will be put in proper shape, and urged the people in the state to maintain friendly environmental practices to avoid flooding.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner has promised to hold meetings with Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the affected local government areas with a view to carrying them along and integrating the state government’s plans with those of the impacted local government councils.