That there is severe flooding across four out of the eight local government areas that comprise Rivers West Senatorial District of Rivers State is no longer news. It is also no longer news that there has been no intervention by the relevant agencies concerned from the Rivers State Government to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. More worrisome is that no official of the government be it federal, state or local government has visited the area to ascertain the level of damage the flooding has done to the area.

From Omoku to Erema to Akinima to other areas across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada-West, Ahoada-East and Abua/Odula LGAs, it has been tales of woe from residents of the areas affected by the flood. In this interview with Kristina Reports’ Head of Digital Content Generation, Udom Clement, spoke with Prince Epere Edegbuo, Budget, Development and Policy Analyst for Social Action, a non-governmental organization based in Port Harcourt and this what he has to say about the situation. Enjoy the read!

We have been following the flooding events in Rivers State and we all know that it is a seasonal problem. You were on a tour to the affected area and you came up with submerged communities. Let’s have your view on that.

You would understand that the case of flooding has become a yearly occurrence which started massively in 2012, and then had a little break. But from 2018 till date it has become a regular occurrence. For something that has happened for three years consecutively, it is expected that by now, those that are responsible, the duty bearers as government officials, those that have direct dealings with this people, should have started doing something about it because NIMET always gives the information about heavy rainfalls, flooding, etc., beforehand. When NIMET has done that, what do the various states do? What do the government at various levels do? From state government, to local government and federal government, what do they do to cushion this event? What do they do to prepare this people towards that period? What do they do after that period to resettle back this people? You’ll find out that there’s been a lack of political willingness to make things done properly.

I was on a tour on Tuesday to affected communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, as well as Ahoada-West Local Government Area. We saw exactly what we saw in 2012. The flood is there as it is, people have been sacked out of their houses. Some people would have to do some rebuilding because this water that has been for three years consecutively can weaken the walls, the houses. So, a few buildings fell. We saw women, children, young men, old men, struggling for their lives. Some of them live practically on the road now, they make some earnings and live on the road because they can’t use their house anymore. We also saw a lady who tied her boat to a tree and was sleeping in her boat. We saw submerged houses, even the office of the Chairman of the Ahoada-West Local Government has been covered by water. So, he can’t go to his office. The question is what has he done? After all of these years where these things happened, what has he done so far? Local governments now receive money directly from the federation account. What has he done with all those monies? This thing is simple, while you say the flooding issue is in the exclusive list, it’s simple. The point is that this is a problem that has a national face but is local. You are here with the people, it is your duty to ensure that you provide camps for those who have lost their houses this period, provide medicals because there will be lots of disease outbreak, also provide food because they can’t provide food for themselves this period, get professionals who will talk to them because they will be going through psychological and mental stress, etc., but none of these things are there and it’s as if nobody cares.

The local government has not done anything on its own. The state government has not shown any form of concern towards the people, and these are communities that are oil bearing communities; they are communities with oil and gas and they have huge contributions towards the state resources. The thirteen percent allocation that the state gets is because of those communities that have oil and gas facilities. So, you cannot say there is no money. If this is a matter that can be handled by the federal government, why is he building bridges on the federal roads? That is to say he has understanding with the federal government on why he wants to do that and if it is done, how they will repay him? In the same vein, let him have a discussion with relevant agencies in government, so he can dredge the Orashi River, which by extension will allow the river to absorb more water such that it doesn’t overflow into the communities. It is because of climate change that the rivers now overflow into the communities, but there’s something that can be done, which is the dredging of these rivers. Once they dredge the rivers, there won’t be this flooding on a yearly basis especially at the scale it comes now.

You said the flooding has been a yearly occurrence but let me ask, who is responsible for the victims welfare?

The government; that is local, state and federal government. There is the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NEMA, NDDC. There is also the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. All of these have responsibilities to these people suffering.

What can you say has been done by the government or any agency to cater for the flood victims as an emergency measure?

Right now nothing has been done by the government or any agency whatsoever. It’s a pathetic situation. The people are suffering and they need support right now. So far, over fifteen deaths have occurred due to the flooding.

How do we demand for better living conditions for victims in these local communities affected by flooding?

It is for everybody to put their hands on deck through their social media handles; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., and embarrass government at all levels. Embarrass the House of Reps members who represent those areas, the senators, councillors, chairmen, the governor, the commissioners, everybody. That is the only thing that will most likely make them come out, otherwise, I don’t understand. A situation that has been there since September till now, the governor hasn’t come to see them and hasn’t set a system to carter for his people. That is sheer wickedness!

By your assessment, what is the worth of properties lost to the flooding, so far?

Well, I’m not an architect or into demolition of properties, but if you go through the pictures and videos of the scenario, you’ll know that millions of naira have been wasted because people couldn’t get their things out of the house. It’s even difficult to get oneself out of the house. For instance a man narrated to us that when the flood started, he assumed where it was going to end and thus made a platform and raised his properties up and left the village and came to Port Harcourt for safety. Only for the flood to go higher and submerge not just his belongings but the entire house. So if you take a look at people’s properties that have been destroyed this period, it’ll definitely run into hundreds of millions.

The keyword now is insecurity. Were there any challenges faced by your team at the affected areas judging by the locations and the drop of economic activities?

Well, we we’re lucky it wasn’t so bad. There was a point the youths used us to go further into their communities; they wanted us to give them some money to get assess into some areas in their community, and I really don’t blame them because they’ve had lots of people come into their community and nothing is happening.

What’s your advice to affected people and reaction on the sights you visited?

The reaction of the people is that they are tired! They want a better life, and I’m saying that they deserve it. We all need to join them to demand for better living and a safe environment.

What’s your advice to government if they ever listen, knowing today isn’t the first time people are been faced with this trauma?

The government should rise up to its responsibilities and ensure that people are cared for. They should wake up, go and set properly IGP camps, get medical supplies, personnel, and have food for the people. Thereafter…on the long term basis, the problem of dredging on the sub-biro river in the Orashi Region should be tackled effectively.