The ongoing flooding in Rivers State has caused widespread destruction, submerging homes, businesses, and markets. In response, some affected traders have resorted to selling salvaged foodstuffs at heavily reduced prices. A monitoring exercise by The Guardian at Rumuokoro Market and other markets in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area revealed heaps of foodstuffs retrieved from floodwaters being spread out to dry before being offered for sale. The items included rice, beans, garri, and yam.
The prices of the damaged foodstuffs have significantly dropped. A bucket of rice that normally sells for about N6,000 was being offered for as little as N1,000, while a bag worth about N50,000 was being sold for N10,000. Soaked tubers of yam, which usually sell for about N5,000, were being offered for N1,000. Despite concerns about possible contamination, some residents, particularly low-income earners and petty food vendors, were seen buying the foodstuffs.
Some residents, like Mrs. Jane Baride, said they had little choice but to buy the damaged foodstuffs due to the harsh economic situation. "I will wash the rice very well. It is better to eat this and live than to die of hunger. My children and I have not eaten anything for days," she said. Another buyer, Mama Emma, bought a bag of rice for use in her food business, saying she would wash it with hot water to kill any germs.
However, a family physician, Dr. Donald Igali, warned residents against consuming food that had come into contact with floodwater. He said washing or cooking may not eliminate all health risks, as food exposed to contaminated floodwater could harbour disease-causing organisms capable of causing serious gastrointestinal and other infections.
The flooding has also created opportunities for some residents to make quick money by providing evacuation services. At Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor, residents constructed makeshift canoes to evacuate people from flooded areas, charging about N2,000 per trip. This has become a lifeline for those stranded in their homes.
The Rivers State Government has taken steps to mitigate the effects of the flooding. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, approved the temporary relocation of students and staff of Community Secondary School, Rumuapara, to State Primary School, Nkpolu, Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor. The government also assured residents that it remained committed to the safety and welfare of students and would ensure continuity of learning despite the flooding.
Residents have continued to criticise what they described as a reactive approach to flood management in the state. They recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other relevant agencies had issued flood warnings earlier in the year, but alleged that adequate preventive measures were not taken. Some residents also linked the worsening flooding to ongoing sand-filling activities in parts of the state, which they alleged had altered natural drainage channels.
Key points
- Flood victims in Rivers State are selling damaged foodstuffs at reduced prices due to the ongoing flooding.
- A medical expert has warned residents against consuming food that has come into contact with floodwater, citing health risks.
- The Rivers State Government has approved the temporary relocation of students and staff of a school affected by the flooding.
