The Nkpolu-Rumuigbo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has been flooded, disrupting economic and social activities and forcing some residents and businesses to relocate.
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of the community, Echene Daddy, lamented what he described as years of government neglect, saying residents had been left to their fate.
Daddy said the deplorable condition of the Nkpolu-Rumuigbo Road had worsened the flooding, making movement difficult for motorists and residents.
“We have been going through this thing for the past three years or more. It has been crazy all these years, but this year is the worst,” he said.
The CDC chairman said several residents displaced by the flood had sought refuge in his office and the community town hall.
“As I am talking to you, stranded people have moved out of their houses. They are now in my office. They are using my office as a refugee camp. Even the community town hall is filled up with people,” he said.
He said the flood had adversely affected businesses and companies operating in the area, adding that some businesses had been forced to relocate.
According to him, “There is a company here that has relocated. They are looking for somewhere in the East where they will move to because of the flood.”
Daddy attributed the worsening situation partly to the poor condition of the roads, saying the Obi-Wali Road through Tuscany, Stoke City and Eckankar areas had become impassable.
He said residents who owned vehicles had been forced to park them because of the deplorable road condition.
The CDC chairman also lamented the condition of government-owned schools in the community, saying both primary and secondary schools had been affected by the flood.
“Our secondary school Apara has been flooded and abandoned. If you go to our primary school, UPE, it has been abandoned. Floods, no zinc on the roof. Students are learning under the rain,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended other legislative activities to address the worsening flooding situation across the state.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, at the 55th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session.
Raising the matter under Order 26 of the Standing Orders, Stewart called for urgent measures to address the impact of the floods, which she said had destroyed homes and means of livelihood, with residents in some affected communities reportedly displaced.
The Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, expressed sympathy with affected residents and directed lawmakers to assess the situation in their respective constituencies and provide assistance where possible.
Following the resolution, lawmakers inspected several flood-affected areas in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, where they assessed the extent of damage and heard complaints from residents.
Speaking after the inspection, Amaewhule said the visit was prompted by the motion and distress calls from constituents across the state.
He said the Assembly observed that some areas were affected by blocked canals and neglected drainage channels, while others resulted from natural water flow.
Amaewhule called on relevant government agencies responsible for drainage maintenance and desilting to intensify their efforts, while expressing optimism that the Rivers State Government would take urgent steps to protect lives and property.