Rivers Sends Flood Alerts To 14 LGAs

Activities in Government House was on the low last
week, however governance activities continued as usual. One Ministry that took the centre stage last week was that of Special Duties following a flood alert in about 14 local government areas in the riverine axis.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe invited local government chairmen in the affected areas to alert and brief them on modalities on tackling the menace headlong.
Though about five caretaker chairmen attended the meeting, it was agreed among others that emergency committees be set up in the councils in Ahoada-East, Ahoada West, Bonny and Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni.
The Ministry of Environment last week Saturday corroborated plans by that of the Ministry of Special Duties to tackle flooding.  In short last weekend, Environmental Sanitation exercise provided a platform for Environmental Health Officers to inspect the city.
Head of Environmental Health/Monitoring who represented the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli warned residents and property owners to avoid building on water ways to avert flooding as predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET).
The Environmental expert warned that henceforth the Ministry will start enforcement to deter others.  He also announced plans by the Ministry of Environment to beef up its monitoring and enforcement in all parts of the state.
Also  within the week under Review, the authorities of  Akuku Toru Local Governmetn Area were joltted by a threal by one Ajagidi Asawari on Governor Amaechi over his planned visit to Kula Community.
Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of AKULGA, Hon Stanley Denebo in responding to the statement by Asawari urging the governor and his entourage to learn swimming skills before embarking on any visit to Kula said that does not represent the view of the Kula people, but that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hon. Benebo further noted that Asawari was sponsored to make such statement, since the people of Kula  hold the governor in high esteem and have benefitted immensely from his developmental strides.
In the words of the AKULGA Chairman, “the governor has the right to visit any community to familiarise himself with the people he governs”.
Hon. Benebo also added, “the appointment of the caretaker chairman, a Kula son for the first time is an indication of Governor Amaechi’s love and interest in Kula Kingdom. He has given Kula sons scholarships, built schools and health centres and rehabilitated the Kula Water Scheme”.
Hon. Benebo therefore called on the security agencies not to treat Asawari’s threat with kid gloves but to investigate him, since he (Asawari) has been linked to criminal activities in the past and has been terrorising the Oceania communities with his group.
Governor Amaechi was in the United States of America (USA) at the weekend for the continuation of his “Meet the People Tour”.  The forum enabled the governor to explain his policy objectives, his challenges and success so far in government.  He had already visited Ikwerre Local Government Area before heading to the USA.
An empowerment scheme organised by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obio/Akpor  Local Government Area held last weekend with over 250 women being provided with skills acquisition equipment.  The women were trained in crafts such as bead making, hat making, soap and cosmetics making .