Rivers Assembly Demands Urgent Action as Flood Displaces Families
The Rivers State House of Assembly has urged swift intervention to address flooding that has uprooted families and left multiple roads impassable in parts of the state.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule made the call on Tuesday after leading a team of lawmakers to inspect communities hit by floods in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas. The visit was confirmed in a statement released by the Speaker's media aide, Martins Wachukwu.
The inspection came after the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, presented a motion during plenary asking the Assembly to act quickly on the deteriorating flood situation.
Addressing journalists after the tour, Amaewhule explained that the lawmakers were moved to visit the affected areas following distress calls from their constituents.
"As an Assembly, we deemed it necessary to move around the streets of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt to see things for ourselves," he said.
"What we have seen clearly shows that flooding requires urgent attention," Amaewhule stated.
The Speaker noted that many families had been forced out of their homes, while several roads had become unusable due to the floodwaters.
He attributed some of the flooding to blocked canals and poorly maintained drainage channels, while other areas were affected by natural water flow.
Amaewhule called on government agencies tasked with clearing drains to act without delay to prevent what he described as avoidable flooding.
Earlier, the Assembly had raised alarm over reports that poisonous reptiles had slithered into some homes submerged by floodwater.
Somiari-Stewart, who brought up the issue under Order 26 of the Standing Orders of the House, said residents had lost property and sources of income to the floods.
She also drew the House's attention to reports of venomous reptiles taking over some flooded homes and urged lawmakers to inspect the affected areas.
After the motion, the lawmakers unanimously agreed to visit some flood-affected communities in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor to assess the extent of the damage.
During the inspection, the legislators toured several flooded areas and heard residents narrate their ordeals.
Amaewhule expressed sympathy for the affected residents and stressed that the state government needed to take necessary steps to safeguard lives and property.
He expressed hope that the Rivers State Government would respond to the situation and take action to address the flooding across the state.
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