Indigenes of the flood ravaged Oronija Community in the Andoni Local Government Area have actually gotten the reason to thank God for no loss of lives after almost half of the community was penultimate week sacked by flood.
The community, The Newswriter was informed got submerged following the heavy down pour of the recent days. The rainfall cum high tide flowing in and out of the Atlantic Ocean emptied its reserves on the community leaving indigenes at the mercy of God.
Barely one week after the incident, the affected community bounced back and with the visit of the senator representing the Rivers South-East senatorial District, Barr. Magnus Ngei Abe, their joy and expectations were relieved and raised high.
Oronija is an island with dense population to the administration of everybody.
Senator Magnus Ngei Abe last Saturday was in the community to sympathize with and encourage the affected people on the need to be hopeful and prayerful.
Senator Abe who visited the area uninvited showered the people of Oronija with relief materials worth millions of naira, ranging from blankets, towels, foods stuff, wrappers, exercise books for pupils and students as well as mattresses to mention but a few.
Abe who sympathize with indigenes of the affected community enjoined them to be courageous and always doing the needful to one another.
Senator assured the people of Oronija that about fifty percent of their problem is solved occasion on his visit to see things for himself.
Abe however, noted that he cannot do anything as an individual but would immediately meet with the state governor for prompt action.
According to Senator Abe, the federation budget was already receiving attention and nothing could be done about that but encourage the people to be hopeful and avoid blocking water channels to avert flooding in the area.
It was gathered that the senator was in the community at the instance of a retired Anglican Bishop, Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Ekprikpo Nglass, JP.
In his words of appreciation, the paramount ruler of the community, HRH, King Bartholomew Ikaan. Egopyork on behalf of the community eulogizes senator Abe whom he described as highly magnanimous, goodwilled and caring for reaching out to the community even in the time of sorrow and wants.
The Royal father, Kng Bartholomew who confessed lacked of words to thank Senator Abe and Hon. Orom Nte Ereforokuma enough said, the senator’s visit to the community without invitation or pressure was divine and has proved that God shall someday visit them in their quest to solving the difficult situation posed by the flood on the people.
King Bartholomew noted that flood has been a reoccurring disaster in that community but without aid and attention from any quarter despite their persistent cries and calls on government.
He was optimistic that with the visit of the senator without special invitation, the time of God’s visitation for rescue has come to the people of Oronija. He thanked the Senator Abe and Rt. Rev. Emmanuel E. Nglass for listening to the voice in helping them.
King Bartholomew who spoke with the news editor of The Newswriter, comrade James Mgboineme, via a telephone chat, admonished indigenes of Oronija to keep trusting God and remain law abiding as their problems would soon have the divine touch.
He further call on the youths to jettison any act of criminality irrespective of the fact that hunger and unemployment are factors associated with evil doing.
Speaking further, a PDP chieftain in the community, Blessing Tiko affirmed that the gesture by the senator has proven to the people that they are not forgotten, by God and government.
According to Mr. Tiko, the visit was like euphoria but its reality is that the senator has sowed a seed that instantly germinated into the hearts of the people and would be too difficult to forget.
He maintained that the incessant petitions of the people to relevant authorities without positive result may have come to an end occasion on the senator’s visit.
While thanking the senator for the gesture which he labeled as the first in the area since the history of their suffering associated with flood, the PDP leader appealed to senator Abe to forward reports of Oronija flooding to the National Assembly.
Blessing Tiko, who spoke to our news editor via the telephone is the organizing secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Andoni chapter. ###
James Mgboineme
