NEMA Seeks Relief Materials For Flood Victims In Rivers

The National Emergency Agency (NEMA), South South zone, says Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in flood ravaged communities across the state need medical attention and food supplies.
The agency therefore called on government and public spirited individuals to come to their aid.
The South South Co-ordinator of the agency, Mr. Brandon Walson, told The Tide in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt that, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) need medical attention, mosquitoes nets and food items.
Walson said the agency has visited two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps located in Oshiba and Ikata communities, all in Ahoada East Local Government Area, adding that they need medicine and food.
The NEMA co-ordinator also confirmed that more communities are being ravaged by flood in Ahoada East.
“They need food and non food items like mosquito nets, buckets, matrasses and medicine,” he said.
He said NEMA is also assessing the level of destructions and the number of persons affected but regretted that most council chairmen are not showing concern to the plight of their people.
“Some local government area chairmen like that of Ahoada East are helping their people but others are not.
He particularly pointed out that complaints from communities in Abua/Odual Local Government Area indicates that there was no supports from the Abua/Odual Local Government Council.
Walson said NEMA had visited Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Igwuruta in Ikwerre to assess the damages caused by flood in the area, while visits are being planned for Ogba Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada West and other flood ravaged local government areas.
The NEMA coordinator who blamed the yearly flooding on climate change, said time has come for people, especially in flood prone areas to realise that it is no longer business as usual.
He urged for proper urban planning, regular dredging of rivers and construction of wide drainages in the cities.
He also called on State Governments to collaborate with NEMA in the area of distribution of relief materials to displaced persons to avoid a duplication of function.