The Rivers State Government has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to flood victims in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, who is also the Chairman of the 2026 Flood Prevention and Management Committee, handed over the relief materials to the Chairman of the council, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, at the Local Government Secretariat, Rumuodomaya. The relief materials include non-perishable items and food items.
Prof. Odu, represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, urged residents to maintain good sanitation and ensure their drainages are clean to prevent flooding. She noted that indiscriminate refuse disposal is a major cause of flooding and encouraged residents to report people who dump waste into drainages. The Deputy Governor also disclosed that the governor has introduced a new initiative under the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, where every flood victim will be enrolled for free healthcare.
The relief materials distributed include 200 mattresses, 200 pillows, 100 blankets, 50 bedsheets, 200 towels, 200 plastic buckets, 200 bedroom slippers, 200 creams, 200 soaps, 200 toothbrushes, 200 pieces of toothpaste, 50 packs of washing soap detergent, 200 serving plates, 200 sanitary soaps, and 200 tablespoons. Food items distributed include 150 bags of 25kg rice, 500 bags of 10kg beans, 30 bags of 25kg salt, 40 gallons of 10 litres palm oil, 14 cartons of seasoning cubes, 5 cartons of groundnut oil, 107 bags of 25kg garri, and 200 cartons of Indomie.
The Deputy Governor expressed happiness over the quality of items distributed, saying it shows that the governor is a listening governor. She hoped that the items would give the flood victims a sense of belonging, knowing that the governor is thinking about them. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, was present to check the flood and erosion department, to determine the cause of the flood and see if there are measures to prevent future occurrence.
Hon. Gift Worlu, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, thanked the Rivers State Government for the relief materials. He expressed happiness and gratitude on behalf of the flood victims, saying the council was severely affected by the flood. The Chairman, represented by the Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon. Nyeche Joyce Gloria, appreciated the government for remembering the people affected by the flood.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Wachukwu Vincent, explained that the health insurance scheme is an initiative introduced by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take care of flood victims. He stated that the registration for the insurance scheme is free of charge and focuses on the affected communities and people impacted by the flood.
The Rivers State Government's effort to provide relief materials and healthcare to flood victims demonstrates its commitment to the well-being of its citizens. The government's initiative to introduce a health insurance scheme for flood victims is a significant step towards providing support to those affected by the flood. The distribution of relief materials and healthcare services will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the flood victims.
Key points
- The Rivers State Government has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to flood victims in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
- The government urges residents to maintain good sanitation and ensure their drainages are clean to prevent flooding.
- The governor has introduced a new initiative under the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, where every flood victim will be enrolled for free healthcare.
