The Chairman of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR), Omenazu Jackson, has expressed concern over the increasing flooding in Rivers State, warning that it is causing widespread damage to lives, property, businesses and public infrastructure while posing serious public health risks.
Jackson called on the Rivers State Government, local government councils and relevant agencies to urgently strengthen environmental protection measures and enforce existing environmental laws to protect residents from the growing impact of flooding across the state.
He blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and waterways for worsening the situation, describing the practice as a major cause of blocked drainage channels. He urged authorities to strictly enforce environmental sanitation laws while sustaining public awareness campaigns on proper waste disposal.
The ISSJHR chairman also appealed to the Rivers State Government and affected local councils to engage military authorities at Bori Camp over ongoing sand-filling activities in the area. He said such large-scale land reclamation should undergo professional technical evaluation and a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment to determine its impact on natural drainage systems, particularly as flooding has become more frequent in communities including Rumuomasi, Rumuokoro, Rukpokwu, Rumuola, Eliozu, Rumuodara and Stadium Road.
Jackson further urged the Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Councils to establish environmental compliance committees to conduct proper site inspections before approving building plans. According to him, approving developments without adequate field verification contributes to flooding, stressing that Rivers State has enough natural water channels to effectively manage rainwater if environmental laws, proper urban planning and drainage management are fully implemented.
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