Niger Delta

2020 Flood Warning: RSG Urges Residents Not To Panic …Clear Drains, Water Channels, Obuah Advises

Published

5 years ago

February 7, 2020

The Rivers State Government has called on residents of the state not to panic over the prediction of dangerous flooding this year by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Mr Charles George, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the ministry was working with the Rivers State House of Assembly to set-up the state emergency response team on flood.
He said the team, when established, will work with companies operating in the state and other stakeholders to tackle all incidences of flooding in the state.
Also reacting, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah urged the people of the state to take advantage of the dry season to empty their drainages and other water channels to avoid blockage ahead of the 2020 flood warnings by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
Obuah made the appeal, yesterday, shortly after his routine monitoring exercise of major streets and roads in Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs.
According to him, “My appeal is premised on the latest prediction by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that there would be greater flooding with disastrous consequences this year, particularly in the South-South states”.
He regretted that some residents and those doing business in the state have cultivated the habit of indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes and plastics into canals which also cause blockage of canals and cause flooding.
Obuah appealed to Rivers people to make adequate preparation against the coming rainy season, regretting that the incidence of flooding might manifest in the state just as predicted by the NIHSA, if people fail to heed the warnings issued by the agency before the onset of the rainy season.
According to the 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMet), February 24, 2020, was the predicted onset of rainfall in the South-South while the predicted cessation date is December 28, 2020, implying a longer period of rainy season.
Obuah said the situation called for collaborative efforts by residents across the 23 local government areas to ensure that the state was not caught up by the impending flood disaster, and also charged Rivers people to ensure that their drainages and other water channels were regularly cleared of wastes.
The RIWAMA boss noted that the agency had often warned residents and those doing business in the state to adhere to environmental rules by not throwing garbage into the drainages and other waterways, as these would impede the free flow of water.
“The flood disaster which devastated several parts of the state in 2012 is still very fresh in mind and should serve as a wake-up call for all residents and people doing business in the state to take appropriate steps to avoid a repeat of that experience”, Obuah advised.

Niger Delta

Delta APC Reaffirms Support For Oborevwori’s Administration

Published

9 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The State Executive Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Monday reaffirmed its support for the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led APC government in the state.

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Omeni Sobotie, who led members of the Executive Committee of the APC on a visit to the Governor, said they would continue to support the State Government as it drives the Renewed Hope For MORE Agenda in the state.

Chief Sobotie disclosed that they were at Government House, Asaba, to pledge their solidarity, reiterating that the Governor is the leader of the APC in the state.

“If the Governor, as the leader of the party, tells everyone to queue behind him, who is going to question that? Who would act contrary to that?” he asked rethorically.

“We came to reaffirm our support and pledge our solidarity with the Governor of the state, who is the leader of the APC in Delta”, the State Chairman added.

He, therefore, urged Deltans to continue supporting the policies and programmes of the Oborevwori’s administration, adding that they should expect more with the Renewed Hope for the MORE Agenda.

Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

Otu’s Wife Champions Healthcare Access For 500 Elderly Citizens

Published

9 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, has sponsored the enrollment of 500 senior citizens, aged 70 and above, into the Cross River Health Insurance Scheme.

The gesture, which covers the premiums of the elderly citizens for two years, targeted the vulnerable senior citizens in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director General of the agency, Mr. Godwin Iyala, described the initiative as “a significant milestone in the first lady’s humanitarian outreach”.

According to Iyala, the first lady had already made full financial commitment to cover the 500 beneficiaries for the next two years.

“This initiative prioritises our elderly population, many of whom had spent decades serving their families and communities.

“Her Excellency has once again demonstrated her deep sense of empathy and leadership.

“The ripple effect of this act is far-reaching because when the aged are cared for, families are relieved, and the moral fabric of our society is strengthened”, he said.

He commended Otu for the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for elderly citizens, particularly those in the rural areas, who face significant barriers in accessing healthcare.

Iyala stated that the Agency would begin immediate enrollment of the beneficiaries into the health insurance database, to ensure they begin to enjoy prompt and uninterrupted access to medical services.

He further said that the initiative was expected to significantly ease the burden of healthcare cost to elderly citizens, offering them a renewed sense of dignity and security in their twilight years.

Niger Delta

Denmark Partners NGO On Climate Change Project In N’Delta

Published

9 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

The Embassy of Denmark in Nigeria, partnering with the Academic Associate PeaceWorks (AAPW), is set to fund a two-year project towards moderating climate change impacts in the Niger Delta.

The embassy’s Senior Programme Manager in Nigeria, Nosakhare Ayejimiwo, disclosed this in a two-day Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Yenagoa on yesterday.

The Tide’s source reports that the forum is titled “Policy Dialogue and Exhibition on Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta”.

Ayejimiwo said the policy dialogue and exhibition were not only to share ideas but living demonstrations of how partnership and cooperation could lead to real and impactful change.

“One of Denmark’s strategic priorities for engagement with Africa is to increase efforts for climate adaptation, with particular focus on water, forests, and biodiversity, and support for green transition in the continent.

“We are living in a time where climate change is undeniably one of the greatest global concerns of our era.

“Yet, while its effects are felt worldwide, it is communities at the frontline like yours and others in the Niger Delta that bear the brunt of its impacts most acutely.

“The Niger Delta faces unique challenges that demand urgent, thoughtful, and locally relevant responses.

“Denmark’s partnership in this region reflects our strong commitment to supporting solutions that are inclusive, locally-led, and sustainable.

“This project is a shining example of those values in action; it embodies collaboration across sectors and stakeholders”, she said.

In her remarks, AAPW Executive Director, Judith Asuni, explained that the two-year project, implemented by AAPW, would be in four communities.

According to her, the communities are those highly affected by climate change, environmental degradation and piracy in Bayelsa and Delta States.

She added that the communities could potentially develop green and blue economies in their areas.

Asuni said, “The project aims to promote sustainable practices in both marine and terrestrial environments, emphasising conservation and resource management in the Niger Delta region.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, reiterated the mandate of his ministry to produce food for Bayelsa, Nigerians and the world.

He noted that the administration of Governor Douye Diri had concluded that the state was too blessed to be poor or associated with poverty.

However, while attributing the state’s blessedness to its rich vegetation and soil fertility, he regretted that a large amount of food consumed in the state was being brought from outside.

“Our primary focus has been on rice production because Bayelsa State is a natural habitat for rice. So, we are supporting our rice farmers by providing inputs, seedlings and rice mills.

“Our goal is to reduce the cost of rice, and we cannot do that without collaboration with our rice farmers.

“We want to create the enabling environment for farmers to be productive”, he said.