Pix from Owolo
Respected human right activist and paramount ruler of Ubio community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Napoleon Ordu has sent out a strong plea to the Rivers State government and good spirited organizations and individuals to come to the aid of flood victims in Ahoada West.
In an alarm raised to alert government and other citizens through a chat with National Point, Chief Ordu said almost the whole of Ahoada West has been flooded and the victims are hurriedlyuprooting their crops to salvage what they can and also be able to feed in the meantime.
He said the people had thought they had escaped this year’s flood and that has left them unprepared.
“Odiereke, all Ahoada West are uprooting their cassava. They thought the flood would be over by now but now, you can’t go to Odorieke, the home of late Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O Robinson. The place is a no go area. Both, all the Ahoada West communities, they are uprooting cassava now. Ubeta is a no-go-area. The Police Station at Ubeta, flood has taken over. there is no community that is not uprooting its crops.
“People are suffering. Please help put that information out to the people concerned so that they will know that the people there are suffering. Even Ana, Ubie, everywhere is flooded. The areas are not safe because of the flood.
Asked if the local government has done anything, he said, “Nothing happened. Yesterday (Sunday I was in the home of Hon. Okpokiri, the whole place is flooded. Everywhere is flooded. Houses are falling mostly in His Majesty’s community.
“People are suffering so government has to come in. All the time, nobody comes to our help. My people need help. Anything government can do let them do, anything to make life comfortable,” he implored.
Asked if it was not time the communities adopted new approaches to beat the flood upheavals, Chief Ordu said they are beginning to adopt new farming methods.
“We will be following the water. That is how my people do now with the flood, every year. As the water is going, they will be following the water. The problem is, how can you follow when you are hungry? They are uprooting their crops while the flood is on but how can you follow when you are hungry. They need help. Government has to come to their aid”, he stated.
Another chief from the area, Chief Simeon Anududu from Anwugbokor Community confirmed Chief Ordu’s story. He said many of the sacked community members are taking refuge in dryer communities.
“What Chief Ordu said is true. There is flood everywhere. Many of the affected persons are now hanging out in Ahoada area, Orashi Okugbe side. Many of the buildings are sunk and people are uprooting their cassava.
He too confirmed that government is yet to come to their aid.
Flooded Ekpeye communities as at Monday October 21, 2019 included, Ubeta, Ombo, Chiobeze, Ololuma, Odioreke, ikodu,Owube, Ubarama, Ubie,Ogoda, Egbe, Ebereba 2, Oyigba,Ihuechi,Ihu echhuakpa, Ulaubie, Odiokwu, Awunugboko, Oshiko, Egbokor, Okogbe, Emeziby 1, 2, Ukprede,Okgbologbolo Ihakama,Obodi, Ogbode Anakpo, Ula Ikata,Ula Okobo, Ebrashi, Akala Olu,Okalanmini, Odogboji, Odiogbo, Idu Ekedeye, Ukpatagbo, Uhugboluko, Ahoada town, Ula Ukpata, Ikata, Okokwrodu, Odieji, Odiemereji, Odiemesama, Ihugbogo, Odiebodie, Ghugbokor, Okoma ½,Ogbete,Ula Ahoada, Ozorchi, ABunukpo, Ogboihuaji, Ihuwo, Ihuama, Eduokie, Ihyaba, Edoha, uduebe, Ochioba, Odiekpeti, Ekpena, Odieke Okoh, Odido, Ukpemin, Oligbo, Joinkrama 1-4.
The Ahoada river was reported full by community members Tuesday with fear the flood will extend further.
As Nkpolu Awaits Attention
