Rivers lawmakers call for urgent response as flooding displaces families

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called for urgent action after flooding displaced families and made several roads inaccessible in parts of the state. Speaker Martin Amaewhule led lawmakers on Tuesday to inspect flood-affected communities in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas. The visit followed a motion by Deputy Majority Leader Linda Somiari-Stewart, who asked the Assembly to respond to the worsening situation.

According to a statement by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, lawmakers decided to visit the communities after receiving distress calls from constituents. Amaewhule said the inspection confirmed that flooding required immediate attention. The Speaker said some areas had been flooded by blocked canals and neglected drainage channels, while other flooding was attributed to natural water flow.

He urged agencies responsible for clearing and desilting drains to act promptly in order to prevent what he described as avoidable flooding. Somiari-Stewart had told the House that residents had lost property and their means of livelihood. She also raised reports that poisonous reptiles had entered some homes submerged by floodwater and called for an inspection of affected areas.

The Assembly subsequently voted unanimously to visit the communities. During the inspection, lawmakers went to several flooded locations and heard residents describe their experiences. Amaewhule expressed sympathy for those affected and said the state government needed to take measures to protect lives and property.

He also said he was hopeful that the Rivers State Government would respond and address flooding across the state. The source material does not state whether emergency assistance, drainage work or other specific measures have yet been announced. It records the Assembly’s call for prompt action and its assessment of conditions in the two local government areas.