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Rising Water Level Threatens 34 Ahoada West Communities

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34 out of 67 communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State are being threatened by flood following the rising level of water in the Orashi River.
A source within the affected communities said the situation has thrown the people into panic with farmers embarking on premature harvesting of crops.
According to the source, most farmlands in the area are also flooded.
Confirming the incident in a radio interview in Port Harcourt, a member of Ahoada West Flood Management Committee, Mr Meshach Uyi said farmers in the affected communities have been asked to harvest their crops to avoid being destroyed by the flood.
According to him, 34 out of 67 communities in the local government area are on dangers of being submerged due to the rising water level in the area.
Mr Meshach Uyi said   all the farmlands within the 34 communities are already submerged.
According to him, the  situation has led to premature harvesting of crops by farmers in the area.
He  said the local goverent council has also setup 14 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the area.
Uyi said the camps are located at Akinima,Ubeta, Mbiama, and Odhiolugboji.
Others are: Okogbe, Ihuaje, Ogbogolo, Isua (Joinkrama 2), Okarki and Ahoada among others.
Uyi said the central Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)   camp at the council headquarters  Akinima has a capacity of 8500 while the two camps at Isua Joinkrama will take1000 people each.
He said a robust sensitisation programme has been carried out across the local government area to sensitise the communities of the impending flood disasters.
According to Uyi, who is also an environmentalist, a flood preparedness plan was also put in place by  the council, adding that the plan addresses pre-flooding, flooding and post flooding issues.
He stressed the need for the federal government to find a lasting solution to the problems by not only dredge the Orashi river but construct a dam across the River Benue to contain water from the Cameroun.
Also speaking, the supervisor for information and communications,  Ahoada West Local Government Area, Madu Madueke said the various camps have been properly equipped to take care of the needs of the internally displaced persons.
He said a robust sensitization and enlightenment campaigns have been carried out across the area with the five languages spoken by the people.
According to him, people are being advised to move to the internally displaced persons camps to avoid being caught up by the flood.
He said, as a local government area that is used to perennial flooding, the council is leaving no stone unturned to mitigate the effects of the flood disasters this time around.

By: John Bibor

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Environment

Youth Group Faults Protest Against HYPREP

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Following the protest that rock the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)last Monday by some youth groups in Ogoniland calling for the dissolution of the governing board of the agency,s more groups in the area said the call is not necessary, as it was aimed at querying the pedigree of the Project Cordinator, Prof Neniibarini Zabbey.
In an interview with journalists, the Bodo City Youth Federation led by Joseph Lenu and his executive members said they condems in strong terms the protest led by the President Generalof Ogoni Youth Federation, Mr. Lagborsi Yaamabaana.
Group further warned that the youths would not take it kindly with any groups or individuals that want to undermine the peace and security of Ogoni land at this critical time noting that the organiser of the said Protest should tender an apology to the project coordinator and the Ogoni youths.

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Environment

Group Distances Self From HYPREP Protest

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A concerned group under the auspices of Ogoni General Youth Assembly, has distanced itself from the protest organised by Mr. Legbosi Yaamabaana against the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) last Monday.
The President of the group, Comrade BarinekaTornwe in a statement said the Protest led by Yaamabaana was against the best interest of the Ogonis and would not yield any positive result.
According to him, Yaamabaana, a HYPREP contractor himself, would only be using the sweat and blood of Ogoni youths to push for more expensive contracts”, adding that the said youth leader “Yaamabaan is always on self-enrichment mode and never for the over-all good interest of the Ogoni youths”
Tornwe therefore enjoined all Ogoni youths to avoid him and rather support HYPREP to execute its core mandate of providing alternative source of livelihood to Ogonis through skills training for women and youths.
It would be recalled that recently, HYPREP concluded another training for 3,000 Ogoni youths and women in various empowernment skills, and pledged not to relent its effort in the interest of the people of Ogoni.
The president of the group, further alleged that “It is Yaamabaana’s plan to hijack the central youth training programme from HYPREP and run it a contractor”.
Tornwe however commended HYPREP for what it has done so far on the execution of its mandate, and appealed that it should stay focused on its assignment and not to allow treacherous persons to sway it into the wrong way.

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Minister Tasks RSG On Open Defecation

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The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlummum Utsev has called on the Rivers State Government to fulfill it own agreement of ending open defecation by the year 2030.
Prof. Utsev stated this in Port Harcourt during a familiarisation tour to the Niger Delta Basin Authority (NDBA) facilities and projects in the State,
He said eradicating open defecation will improve hygiene, sanitation and health standard of the people.
The Minister explained that the visit was aimed at assessing infrastructure, programmes of the authority required to meet the agenda of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring a better society.
He said toilets must be constructed at motor parks with a view to enthroning hygiene.
“To end open defecation and enthrone hygiene, we need to construct toilets at the motor parks, hospitals, schools and public places to ensure the objective is achieved. So, the Rivers State Government needs to come on board.
“There is a need for us to build synergy between the three tiers of government to ensure that this is achieved.” he said.
The Minister also explained that access to potable water is part of the mandate of the Ministry, and assured that it will be delivered.
. “We are targeting about 500 hectares of land across the country under irrigation. We cannot succeed without completing all our dams that are under construction, ensuring we complete the projects.
“We will engage state governments in allocation of lands, while we provide water for irrigation, the government is supposed to give the Certificate of Occupancy to ensure that the land belongs to the farmers to avoid any issue with the farmers,” he said.
“The government is serious about improving the lives of Nigerians, ensuring food security, wealth creation and youth empowerment”
“Some projects that will drive this have been completed, while some are ongoing, we are determined to complete more projects and initiate new ones.”
It would be recalled that Nigeria currently sits at the top as far as open defecation was concerned.
The country took over from India.
It would also be noted that out of the 36 States in the country, only Jigawa State is open defecation free.

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