Following the devastating flood that hit the Niger Delta region, where so many lives were lost, property worth billions of naira were also destroyed and the road link between Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, the East-West Road, was cut off at several sections.
It was an excruciating experience for many people whose communities were ravaged by the natural disaster. The few travelers that ventured out had to be ferried by boat. Indeed, traveling along the flood impacted areas, cutting across the states in Niger Delta, was a nightmare.
In response to this mishap, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, flagged off the donation of relief materials, essential drugs and medical equipment to communities affected by flood in the Niger Delta region, beginning with Rivers State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Rivers State Central Medical Store in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Engr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, said that part of the Commission’s mandate was to intervene when natural disasters occur.
He noted that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, gave the NDDC a mandate to restore the damaged sections of the East-West Road, as well as provide relief materials for the people affected by the flood.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for showing fatherly love and directing relevant federal government agencies to respond promptly to the challenges thrown up by the flood.
He stated that the NDDC had since restored the flood ravaged sections of the East-West Road at Ahoada, Mbiama and Patani, making it motorable for road users.
Audu-Ohwavborua said that the NDDC decided to hand over the relief materials to the Rivers State Flood Management Task Force to provide the needed relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
He said: “What we are doing today in Rivers State, namely; donation of relief materials, will be replicated in the other Niger Delta states. We are providing food items, essential drugs, medical equipment, including two ambulances and two 100KVA generators, among others.”
He said the essential medications, which would be made available to the states in the Niger Delta region, included anti-malaria, anti-biotics, anti-fungal, anti-diarrhea and anti-emetic drugs.
Speaking earlier, the NDDC Director Rivers State Office, Mr. Imoko Orere, said that as an interventionist agency, the NDDC has a responsibility to assist Niger Deltans, especially in the face of a devastating natural disaster.
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