19th October, 2018
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday landed in Ahoada West for an on-the-spot assessment of Okogbe Camp where people displaced by flood in Rivers are currently taking refuge.
The vice president flew to the camp in a helicopter after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport where he called for immediate intervention.
He said that he was in the area to assess the extent of damage, understand the nature and enormity of the disaster for the Federal Government to “react appropriately’’.
According to him, the extent of flooding in homes and most villages indicate that the disaster is enormously required.
“We over flew the whole of Ahoada West and we saw so much of the damage and disaster.
“Most homes, most of the villages are under water and it is very clear this is a disaster of enormous proportions.
“No doubt there is need for immediate intervention as I thank the state government for what they have done so far in trying to curtail the problem.
“Fortunately NEMA has also been working very hard alongside the state emergency agency. Myself, the Minister of Environment and the Director-General of NEMA are here to see things for ourselves,’’ he said.
He promised that the federal government would give all the support necessary to ensure the comfort and proper resettlement of the IDPs.
“I am glad to say Federal Government will give all the support necessary to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible under the circumstances here.
“More importantly, to also ensure that you are resettled properly when in the next few weeks you are about to go back home,’’ he said.
Osinbajo also assured them that the federal government regarded the resettlement phase as very important aspect of its intervention.
He said: “we will be talking to see how we can effectively work with the state government to resettle all of you back in your homes and also to plan for the future.
“We think this cycle of flooding must not be allowed to continue. There must be a way of checking these constant circles of flooding.
“Part of what we need to do is build more canals, dredge these rivers not to overflow all the time and ensure that estuaries and other small water bodies are not filled with solid waste to allow free flow of water. ”