Rivers State Government has assured people living in flood prone areas of the State of adequate security of their lives and property, ahead of the 2013 weather forecast by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET). Special Duties Commissioner, Barr. Dickson Umunakwe gave the assurance while filling questions from newsmen in his office.
According to him, “six States in North West, six in the South West and Cross Rivers and Delta States in the South-South regions will be affected. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on other States in the coastal areas of the Country including called Rivers to be on the alert of the imminent flood”. The Commissioner disclosed that his Ministry is in partnership with relevant Ministries and NEMA to embark on the imminent flood sensitization campaigns to communities in the flood prone areas of the State before June.
He added that all available medium will be used for the flood campaigns which will include the use of jingles in radio, television and handbills, so as to “create resilience in people for them to take informed decision in the advent of the flood” he said. Barr. Omunakwe recalled that during the 2012 flood disaster in the State, Government was able to affect the lives of the victims by providing 250 communities with 25 camps, generating sets, health facilities, foods and the post flood relief materials such as yam seedlings, plantain and banana suckers as well as cassava stems. He promised to tackle the challenges faced last year on the diversion of flood relief materials and to reopen the camps with improved social amenities before the rains sets in.###
