One year after the last flood disaster ravaged communities and plundered farm produce in parts of Rivers state, no one seems to be talking about how to prevent a re-occurrence.
As one of the states that its citizens and residents were worst affected by the flood of 2013 and 2020, rivers state government did not make any efforts to resettle the affected people or device means to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incident.
Though the federal government showed willingness to help flood victims by approving the disbursement of over twelve thousand metric tons of assorted food items to the victims across the country, some stakeholders have however likened the efforts as a drop in the ocean.
The people of the affected communities in Rivers State have not only been left to continue to suffer the effects of the flood, many of them, especially children now live with the different ailments that come with it.
This report looks into the lives, nature and means of survival of the Edagberi, Odawu, Isua, Ususu, Akinima, Akie-Oniso, Oshie, Mbiama, Ishianyi, Agbo, Akiogbologbo, Okarki, Okparaki, Ikodi, Kunusha,Igovia, Udoda, Egboama, Ogbologbo, Opu Ogbolobo, Kala Ogbogolo and Agbo communities in engenni kingdom of ahaoda west local government area of rivers state.
People residing in these communities who were greatly affected during the last flood have continued to lament over their loss, standard of living and health issues that arise during and after the flood.
The affected people who are mostly farmers explained that despite losing their farm produce and embarking on emergency harvest, they have been completely abandoned by government at all levels
They also decried the lack of water supply, adding that their only means of water which is the Orashi River has been taken over by flood.
They said the situation has also caused a rise in the number of people with illness, which may become worse due to lack of health care centers, IDP camps, and food in the community.
The paramount ruler of Edagberi community His Royal Highness Sunny Jacob expressed worries that hunger may be on the rise in the community, due to destruction of their farmland produce
Sandra Kenneth reports that the primary and secondary schools in the communities have been shut down indefinitely, to avoid loss of lives, as parents said the lives of their children and wards are usually exposed to danger in their school premises during floods.
Today FM also visited the local government chairman of ahaoda west who advised his people to relocate to upper land, because according to him, flooding is a natural disaster that is unavoidable.
While the federal government work out modalities on how to manage the condition of the flood victims, it is important for the Rivers State government to also visit flood prone areas and immediately help secure the lives of the citizens that it is constitutionally mandated to protect.
SANDRA KENNETH FOR TODAY 95.1FM
