FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO START REMEDIAL WORKS AT SECTION OF EAST WEST ROAD CUT OFF BY FLOOD
GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana says remedial measures will be put in place to make that section of East West Road cut off by flood at Ahoada East axis passable.
Obong Umana who gave the indication when he led Acting managing Director and other directors in Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to the area ravaged by flood at Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State, told the people that the Federal Government was aware of their plight.
The ravaging flood at Ahoada Rivers State has degenerated into an emergency situation as that section of East West Road has totally been cut off and preventing vehicular movement to or from Bayelsa and Delta States.
What is more disturbing is that most of the residents have been sacked from their homes and are putting up at Internally Displaced Persons camp situated in a secondary school in the locality.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana, while on visit to the area in company of Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other directors of the commission to assess the extent of damage in the area, described the flood challenge as an emergency situation.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who gave indication that remedial measures will be put in place on the road, assured the residents of government’s determination to come to their aid.
“I have directed the NDDC to engage SETRACO, the construction company working on the road, to quickly assess the damages at the Ahoada section of the East West Road, so that they can commence remedial repairs to restore the link between Rivers and Bayelsa States.”
Obong Umana, who directed NDDC to take relief materials to the affected communities, maintained that various agencies of the Federal government have been mobilized to respond to the issues accordingly.
” The NDDC as an interventionist agency will complement the efforts of both the Federal and State Governments by providing relief materials to those affected by this unfortunate disaster and boats will be provided soon to ease the stress commuters face on a daily basis.”
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs revealed that a decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council to set up a situation room over the flood situation in parts of the country.
Meanwhile, two residents of the community, Mr. Felix Ikendu and Isaac Iyiuwa solicited the Government’s intervention to reduce the effects of the flood.
The respondents who said their condition has become critical insisted that they are yet to receive any help.
