Following the predicted floods by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the Rivers State Government says it is fully prepared to mitigate the effect of the flood.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the public launch of the 2023 Road Map of Rivers State Government to mitigate the effect of the flood at St. Paul’s State Primary School Field, Ahoada.
Governor Fubara who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu said Rivers State in line with national intervention strategies has adopted proactive measures, which include the establishment of a multi-sectoral State Committee on Flood involving various stakeholders, like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Social Welfare, adding that the Local Government Flood Committees have also been constituted.
According to Governor Fubara, “The mitigation is in three phases, and phase one is almost concluded with the identification and preparation of IDP camps and today the provision of equipment and materials to flash Local Government Areas, namely Ahoada East, Ahoada West, ONELGA and Abua Odual”.
The State Chief Executive said the actions taken so far underscore the level of preparedness of the State when the flood comes.
“We are hopeful that because of our proactive measures, the negative impact on citizens will be minimized,” the governor stressed.
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House who is also the Chairman of the Flood Management Committee, Chidi Amadi said all necessary measures have been put in place to forestall the repeat of the ugly food disaster last year.
According to him, the program was a manifestation of the astute planning, commitment, and sacrifice of the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, adding that it is a reflection of his feelings and approach to leadership.
He said it was a result of over two months of planning with the announcement by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) about the impending flood in 2023, stressing that the governor as a proactive leader inaugurated a committee comprising various stakeholders to mitigate the negative effect of flooding.
Also speaking, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Godwin Tepikor, said part of the mandate of the agency was to monitor the level of preparedness of stakeholders, noting that NEMA South-South has carried out aggressive sensitization and advocacy on early warnings to the public and affected Local Government Areas.
He said in Rivers State, 15 local government areas have been predicted to experience high flooding, while eight others are to experience moderate flooding, these predictions according to him are real.
On his part, Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Ben Eke said the affected council chairmen have agreed to support whatever plans the governor has for the people of the state, stressing that they had set up flood and sanitation committees in their various local government areas to support the mitigation effort.
