Rivers Flood: Administrator Ibas ask victims to relocate

The Sole Administrator of Rivers, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has asked flood victims in the state cause by three days torrential rainfall to relocate to safer places until the flood subsides. 

There has been three days heavy rainfall in Rivers, Bayelsa, South east states and other coastal states bringing about flood particularly in the Nigeria Delta areas.

The three-day torrential rain has devastated parts of Rivers, with the state government calling for the evacuation of victims, while the Bayelsa state government seeks support to address flooding and coastal erosion.

In Port Harcourt, heavy rainfall, which began on Sunday till the evening of Tuesday, caused an unprecedented flood in some local government areas in Rivers State, with Port Harcourt, the state capital being the worst hit.

Residents, business owners had their property destroyed by the floods while several residents lost valuables as the flood water ripped through residential homes, shops as well as business centres.

In Bayelsa State, the state government appealed to the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and development partners to support the state in tackling flooding and coastal erosion challenges.

In Port Harcourt, some areas affected by the flood include, Mile One, Mile Three Diobu axis, D/line, Agip, Chinda, Rumolumeni, Rumola, Rukpokwu, Rumuekini in Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the state.

Other areas most hit by the flood are Choba, Mgbuogba, Aluu, Rumosi,Rumokoro, Emohua, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogoni axis, Oyigbo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni among other places.

It was observed that water channels in areas such as Rumokoro, Okija and Obiri-Ikwere axis were yet to be distilled. There were also no awareness creation about the potential flooding across the state.

Flood committees were not set up and the drainages were not cleared. No significant and proactive steps have been taken so far to mitigate the flood impacts.

Nigeria Metrological Agency, NIMET, had warned about severe flooding this year with profound highlights on Rivers State as one of the high-risk areas for potential flooding and also placed emphasis to the rising climate challenge.

Friday Mbah, a victim of the flood disaster said: “We can no longer go to work because of heavy rains. Our shops are flooded for three days now, we are hungry but have nothing to eat because we can’t go to work, yet nobody cares.”

Also, Michael Barine, another victim, lamented: “Apart from affecting buildings, farmlands, we lost valuables like electronics, beds, chairs, generators etc.”

Rivers state sole administrator, Ibas in a statement called on victims of the flood to relocate from the affected areas to safer places until the flood subsides.

“Residents should clear drainages and avoid dumping waste in waterways. Relocate to safer grounds if residing in flood-prone areas. Cooperate with emergency response teams and heed official advisories. Report illegal land reclamation or other environmental violations to the appropriate authorities,” said the government.