By Bisola Adeyemo
The National President of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, Comrade Austin Ozobo has called on the Federal government over the current flood threat in Ijaw communities especially in Burutu, Bomadi, Patani in the Warri North and other riverine areas in Delta State.
Ozobo stated this on Tuesday to Punch news in Warri while lamenting on why the government ordered those communities to vacate the flood-prone areas without any alternative arrangement to help residents who may likely fall victim to the annual flooding in the state.
“We expected government in every tier to make preparations towards evacuating residents in the flood-prone riverine communities. But despite the warning, no effort has been put in place. It is actually sad,” he said.
He spoke further, “As residents of riverine communities, we have seen the rising flood level in our communities, but how can our people be evacuated when their means of survival lies in the village? They can only feed when they go to farm, fish, or do some manual jobs.
“If you say they should be evacuated, where are they evacuating to? How can villagers who are low-income earners afford money to go and pay for costly urban houses just to evacuate their flood-prone communities?
“Even if some persons could afford to do that, it won’t be more than five per cent of the villagers.
“But what will now happen to the remaining 95 per cent of villagers who could not afford to pay for houses in the urban cities?
“Out government should do something, Planning for flood communities will go a long way in addressing flood problems in Delta State and Nigeria.
“Every year the people count losses without being compensated. Government too will end up spending much on palliatives without any permanent remedy. The way to solve the problem of annual flooding is to first take data about the areas, communities and level of the flooding, which will inform you of what step to take to address it.
“It is annoying that the federal and state governments in Niger Delta have no plan to address the current ragging flood threat. No preparatory moves for IDP camps, no food bank has been put in place, no logistics arrangements for transportation of affected persons, no medical, drinkable water, clothing for children and proper care for aged and pregnant women are in place. It is unfortunate and disappointing.”