Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has announced that the state government will provide a ?200,000 cash stipend to 35 households affected by the recent flooding at Edmac Estate, Mercy Land, Nkpolu Extension, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt. The deputy governor disclosed this when she received a delegation of residents of the Estate at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The flood, which forced some residents to evacuate their homes, prompted the state government to provide financial assistance to the most vulnerable victims. According to Prof. Odu, the state government had earlier provided food and other relief items to affected residents and enrolled them in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to ensure access to healthcare.
The cash assistance is part of Governor Fubara's commitment to supporting vulnerable victims of flooding across the state. Prof. Odu explained that the first phase of the intervention would benefit 35 households, adding that beneficiaries had already begun receiving alerts for the ?200,000 payment.
The deputy governor assured residents that the state government would work with the Ministries of Environment and Works to identify permanent solutions to the recurring flooding in the area. She noted that the low-lying nature of the Estate contributed to its vulnerability to flooding, adding that some of the problems were also human-induced.
Prof. Odu urged residents to complement the government's efforts by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding practices that could obstruct waterways and drainage channels. She noted that recent desilting and clearing of culverts in the area had already improved the flow of water.
The deputy governor reaffirmed the inclusive nature of the state government's flood intervention programme, stressing that assistance was not restricted to Rivers indigenes. She commended members of the Flood Prevention and Management Committee for their commitment to implementing the governor's directive.
Residents of the affected area have expressed gratitude to the state government for its intervention and relief efforts. The Head of Security in the Estate, Mr. Hilarry Uba, and an American humanitarian, Mr. Cliff Jarrell, thanked the state government for its prompt response to the plight of residents affected by the disaster.
Key points
- The Rivers State government has approved a ?200,000 cash stipend for 35 households affected by the recent flooding in Port Harcourt.
- The state government had earlier provided food and other relief items to affected residents and enrolled them in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme.
- The government plans to work with the Ministries of Environment and Works to identify permanent solutions to the recurring flooding in the area.
