Edith CHUKU
A former Principal of the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe, Mr Obua Sampson Amobi, has blamed poor environmental planning and road construction for the recent flooding in the place.
Amobi stated when the State Flood Prevention and Management Committee visited the rehabilitation centre, on Monday.
He said the poor environmental planning and road construction had turned the facility into a water collection point, resulting in repeated flooding whenever it rains.
The former principal explained that the construction of canals had diverted water from the surrounding community into the compound, while road construction further obstructed the natural flow of water to the lowland.
Amobi identified the construction of a large drainage system to convey floodwater to the river, or the elevation of the affected homes above the flood level, as possible solutions to the problem.
His words: “This area is flooded. The only way to solve this problem is to construct a big drainage that will transport the water to the river or rebuild our home by elevating it above the sea level,” he stressed.
has assured residents of the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe, affected by the recent floods, of further Government intervention to alleviate their plight.”
While addressing the people, the State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, assured the residents of further government intervention to alleviate their plight.
The deputy governor who was represented by the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, said the delegation, comprising senior government officials, members of the flood prevention and management committee and the State Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had inspected the situation and provided food items and other palliatives to the affected residents.
According to Odu, the concerns and additional needs expressed by the affected residents would be communicated to the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for necessary action.
“We have seen the situation at the home and have been able to make some presentation of food items and palliatives to them. From what we have heard from them, we will take it back and pass it on to His Excellency for further necessary action,” she said.
