The Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee has called on the Federal Government to urgently dredge the heavily silted Orashi River, citing it as a major cause of recurring floods in at least four local government areas.
Professor Ngozi Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, who diubles as chairman of the committe, made the appeal during a press briefing at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Prof. Odu announced the resumption of the committee’s full operations following the reopening of its intervention fund account, which had been temporarily frozen during the transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
Reactivated about five weeks ago by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the committee is now in its mitigation phase—one of three operational stages that include advocacy/prevention, mitigation, and post-flood intervention.
The deputy governor said engagements have been held with leaders of the most flood-prone local government areas, including Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, and parts of Abua/Odual.
The committee planned to visit flood-affected communities to engage victims and distribute relief materials to residents in both IDP camps and their homes.
About 80 per cent of the intervention funds had been used by the previous committee for activities such as rehabilitation of IDP camps, installation of boreholes, and procurement of non-perishable relief materials stored at the Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder barracks.
Odu also highlighted that urban flooding in Port Harcourt and other cities is often caused by blocked drainage systems, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and construction along water channels.
She further stressed that effective flood prevention requires coordinated action from federal, state, and local governments, as well as residents.
To strengthen local response, all LGAs have been directed to establish 13-man flood control committees to oversee drain clearing, culvert repair, and community sanitation.
The committee also announced that the SSG, who served as Vice Chairman, and the Head of Service would visit the family that recently lost two children in a flood-related incident to deliver an official condolence message and provide support.
Following the briefing, Professor Odu led committee members and journalists on an inspection of relief materials in preparation for immediate distribution across affected communities.
