Flood victims in Rivers return home amidst fear of diseases, building collapse

Friday, November 2, 2018 7:31 am

Lament refusal of Governor Wike to visit them

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Flood victims in Orashi region of Rivers State have started returning to their homes, four days after they were disallowed from staging a protest to the State’s government House, Port Harcourt by armed policemen in lamentation of their plight.

The flood victims had staged a protest march to occupy the Rivers Government House over allegations that Governor Nyesom Wike refused to visit them for more than two months since flood ravaged their communities.

But a visit to some of flood ravaged areas in Akinnima, Mbiama and Jonkrama in Orashi region showed that some of victims are drying their mattresses and wet households in the sun.

Orashi region of the state which is mostly affected by flood is made up Ahoada East, Ahoada West,Ogbe-Egbema-Ndoni local government areas of state that Orashi River runs through their land. Orashi river is a tributary of River Niger.

Many families were seen cleaning their houses, while others bailed out flood water.

Some those interviewed expressed fears that their houses may collapse because the foundation may have been compromised due to the excessive soaking up of water.

Mr Ibrima Akani , a father of five children said: “We are packing back to our houses, because we don’t have options, but were afraid that the houses may collapse anytime. When you enter some of the rooms. you see cracks.”

“We are not happy that despite appeals and peaceful protest,our governor. Nyesom Wike, refused to visit us to at least see how we are suffering.”

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association Rivers State, NMA, Mr. Ibitrokemi Krubo, warned that as the flood victims go back to their homes, there should health and environmental awareness of the health risks facing them

“They maybe faced with waterborne diseases, malaria, because stagnant water and rodents and possible snake bites. There health audit of the affected areas and if possible, fumigation before they move back to their homes,” he advised.