The Rivers State Government has launched a flood relief intervention in Eneka, a community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, providing ?200,000 cash support to affected households and enrolling victims in the State's health insurance scheme for one year of free healthcare. This initiative is part of the State Government's comprehensive response to the devastating floods that affected several communities across the State. The intervention was carried out on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to the Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the State Government has adopted a three-pronged approach to mitigate the impact of the flooding on affected residents. The first phase involved the distribution of relief materials to affected communities, while the second phase focused on the enrolment of flood victims in the Rivers State Health Insurance Scheme. This provides beneficiaries with access to free healthcare for one year.
The payment of the ?200,000 stipend constitutes the third phase of the intervention. While the financial assistance may not replace what residents had lost, it is intended to cushion the economic hardship caused by the disaster. Deputy Governor Odu urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the healthcare coverage provided by the State Government, directing them to designated health facilities where they could access medical treatment.
Odu also assured residents that the government is addressing some of the environmental factors responsible for the flooding. Officials of the Ministry of Environment are working to identify and clear blockages in waterways and drainage channels to facilitate the free flow of floodwaters. The deputy governor further disclosed that the government is pursuing long-term measures to address the recurring flooding.
Chief Echebiri Wobidi, speaking on behalf of the Eneka community, appealed to the State Government to urgently rehabilitate and open up drainage channels in Eneka to address the recurring flooding. He commended Deputy Governor Odu for leading the State's flood intervention efforts and for personally visiting affected communities to assess the situation.
Queen Blessing Woko, the wife of the Traditional Ruler of Eneka, expressed appreciation to the State Government for its concern for flood victims, describing the intervention as an indication that the people had not been forgotten. She commended Odu's humility and commitment, saying her visit to the community demonstrated genuine concern for the plight of the people.
The Youth Leader in Eneka, Mr. Gift Opurum, commended the Rivers State Government for its intervention and called for a permanent solution to the recurring flooding in the community. He thanked the State Government for coming to the aid of affected residents, noting that the relief materials and ?200,000 cash support had provided some succour to the victims.
Key points
- The Rivers State Government has provided ?200,000 cash support and free medical care to flood victims in Eneka.
- The government has adopted a three-pronged approach to mitigate the impact of the flooding, including relief materials, health insurance, and cash support.
- Long-term measures are being pursued to address the recurring flooding in Eneka and other affected communities.
