The Nation Newspaper

Tag: flood

  • Flood: Rotary Club to complement FG’s efforts

    Flood: Rotary Club to complement FG’s efforts

    The Rotary Club International will today meet to discuss the recent flood incident that has ravaged some states in the country.

    A Past District Governor (PDG) of the club, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, disclosed this at the ongoing project fair organised by the club, which was geared towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged people in Africa.

    At the fair, which is the 8TH edition, Adeluyi disclosed that members of the club would extensively discuss the flood issue with its international partners and come up with initiatives to complement the efforts of government towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Four districts of the Rotary Club International (RCI) in Africa are hosting members of the club from various countries in the ongoing West Africa Project Fair (WAFP) being held in Lagos.

    Also speaking yesterday during a press conference with the theme: Peace Through Service by the organising committee chaired by the Past District Governor (PDG) Deinde Shoga, he said the club would have the opportunity to showcase its various developmental projects to its international partners who were in Nigeria for the event.

    Other members of the club present at the press conference included the Senator representing Lagos West senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Ganiyu Solomon.

    Soaga said the aim of the projects was to address the needs of communities in West Africa through six areas of focus of the club, which included maternal and child health, education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, economic and community development, peace and conflict resolution.

    The four districts of the Rotary Club that organised the project fair were Districts 9100, 9110, 9125 and 9140.

     

  • Flood: Ex-lawmaker faults FG’s N17bn release to states

    Flood: Ex-lawmaker faults FG’s N17bn release to states

    A  former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Ralph Okeke, yesterday, faulted the Federal Government’s decision to channel the N17.6 billion flood disaster relief fund through the governments of the affected states. According to Okeke, the bureaucracy in government would eventually reduce the fund by 50 percent before it gets down to the victims.

    While commending President Goodluck Jonathan’s quick response by mapping out fund to assist the flood victims in 35 states, the former lawmaker, however, expressed fears that victims of the natural disaster now in various refugee camps might not get the benefits for which the fund was intended.

    “My problem is the channel through which this assistance will get to the victims.

    Sending the fund through so many Ministries, Agencies, Departments and a Presidential Committee, will eventually reduce the fund to about 50 percent before the assistance arrives its destinations not because anybody is a thief but because of government bureaucracy,” he said.

    Noting that the government does not know what the flood victims need at this point in time, Okeke added, “this money (N17.6bn) may be wasted on things that the direct victims will not need and appreciate, and the result is that we shall keep hearing of billions and more billions but in the end, nobody will see anything and therefore no assistance as usual.”

    He said that as an indigene of the most affected area in the country (Anambra West LGA of Anambra State), “I know what would be meaningful to these suffering flood victims; what they really want is direct financial assistance.”

    “The little money they will get individually will enable them survive the impending hunger throughout next year’s farming season.

    It will also enable them buy seed yams and other seedlings for next year’s farming season which starts from December.

    “As we speak, there is an impending problem for the nation, which is hunger for the whole of next year, not only to the flood victims, but the nation at large because the flood washed away all the seed yams, seedlings of other crops harvested and un-harvested crops, including their properties which some of them acquired since the past 20 years.”

     

  • Flood sacks banks in Yenagoa

    Activities have been paralysed in five commercial banks in Yenagoa, following the flooding of their premises.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that worst hit was the Swali branch of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), where flood overran the entrance and poured into the banking hall.

    A worker, who identified himself as Kelvin, told NAN that the flood had compelled the bank to move its operations to other safe branches in the state capital where the flood had not reached.

    He said: “We have no choice but to relocate our operations. Many of our customers can no longer enter the banking premises as you can see; the environment is no longer safe for both the bank and its staff.”

    At the Fidelity Bank, on the Sani Abacha Express Road, the menacing flood had overrun its entire premises forcing the bank to halt operation and evacuate its staff.

    A customer, Mr. Bonny Ibeh, who was at the premises of the bank to make withdrawal from the ATM machine, lamented the impact of the flood on commercial activities.

    “This is serious, I had wanted to go in and use the ATM, but look at the premises, I cannot afford to swim in this flood.

    “I need money to evacuate my family to Owerri, because the same flood have overrun my home here in Yenagoa,” Ibeh said.

    Also in the state capital, the only branch of Diamond Bank, located on the Sani Abacha Road, flood waters had overrun its premises, and pouring into the banking hall.

    Some of its customers were seen milling around the entrance to the gate, contemplating on the faith that had befallen them, as most of them complained of running short of money to enable them buy food items and relocate their families.

    Mr. John Ebogha, a customer told NAN that he had come to make withdrawal with his cheque, but had not been able to access the entrance, just as he appealed to the bank to make an alternative arrangement to enable the customers make withdrawal.

    “The bank should do something to help the customers. We need money to enable us meet different challenges in this flooding time.

    “I want them to move to a makeshift place, inside the town, at least, put up an arrangement to pay customers,” Ebogha said.

    None of the staff could be reached for comments, as a few of them were seen pacing up and down inside the flood waters that had poured into their banking premises.

     

  • Suswam’s Wife enlivens flood victims’ camps

    Suswam’s Wife enlivens flood victims’ camps

    As in other parts of the country, flood-induced misery has also been the lot of some residents of Benue State. But the wife of the state governor, Yemisi Suswam, has been working hard to lift their spirits.

    She visited them. She danced with them. She also came with food. The gesture put a smile on the faces of the displaced people.

    The floods have forced over 4,000 people including children from their homes, and have been sheltering in three primary schools in the metropolis.

    Apart from bringing bags of rice, oil, soaps and toiletries, she shared what she brought with them, giving the people a sense of belonging.

    For instance, she came with a large cake which she cut and distributed to the people.

    In her brief remarks, the wife of the governor urged the children to be strong and trust in God that very soon, they would return to their homes, adding that the flood was one of the natural disasters which were unexpected.

    She assured them that Benue State government would do everything possible to ensure their comfort in the camps.

    Mrs Suswam also assured them that government would provide basic neccesities of life like food, clothes; mattresses and medical services for them.

    A popular comedian entertained the children, keeping them singing and dancing with the wife of the governor.

  • Succour for Anambra flood victims

    Succour for Anambra flood victims

    Some help has come to lift flood victims in Anambra State out of the depth of despair.

    Eight local government areas and over 40 communities in the state were submerged by the ravaging flood. As in numerous other cases beyond the state, those in Anambra have since been moved to temporary camps.

    The situation threw many into despair, not knowing how they will start afresh after the waters have receded.

    Senator Joy Emordi has made a difference, bringing in some relief to augment what the state state government and other organisations and individuals have been doing.

    Anambra is situated on flat land on the eastern plains of River Niger with a population of close to five million people.

    But today, the pride of the people has been cut by the overflow of the River Niger that flooded and continues to hurt millions of Nigerians in some states.

    The flooding, which began in Anambra State about three weeks ago, is yet to abate as more communities are being submerged daily, including an industrial district in the commercial city of Onitsha known as Harbour Industrial Layout.

    The state governor, Peter Obi had virtually relocated to the affected areas in order to ensure that no life is lost in the disaster.

    Some of the representatives of the people both at the state and national levels and other concerned citizens of the state had visited and provided relief materials for the affected areas.

    Prominent among them are Senators Andy Uba, Margery Okadigbo, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Senator Joy Emordi and the Minister of Aviation Stella Odua who is equally a victim.

    Unable to fight back tears, Senator Joy Emordi wept on sighting the extent of damage caused by the flood. Bishop of Ubomili Diocese, Henry Okeke and the Southeast woman leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lady Anthonia Nwankwu could not console her.

    The Harbour Industrial Layout that houses over 39 big firms in the commercial city of Onitsha is submerged by water, even as owners of the affected companies are counting their losses which run into trillions of naira.

    The submerging of the Harbour Industrial Layout, according to the Group Chief Executive of Krisoral Group of Companies, Oranu Chidume, has affected more than 2,000 workers.

    Describing the loss of raw materials as enormous, he said it was too early to quantify the loss in monetary terms.

    Emordi, who was overwhelmed by the quantum of damage in the industrial area, said: “This is the time for the wealthy men and women in Anambra State to show concern.

    Krisoral Company was among the going concerns inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan over a month ago during his one-day visit to the state.

    Proffering some long-term measures to avoid future occurrence, Senator Emordi stressed the need for the Federal Government to carry out proper dredging of the River Niger. She added that if proper dredging of the River Niger was carried out, the disaster wouldn’t have been this horrifying.

    She said: “It is important that this River Niger is dredged properly. The Federal Government has started talking about it. We hope that very soon, these things will be in the trash can of history.

    “I would want owners of these companies to exercise patience because something must be worked out after this flooding.”

    At the Bishop Crowther Primary School in Onitsha North Local Government Area, Emordi broke down in tears again as she saw over 1,000 flood victims from Anambra East Local Government Area who were camped there.

    Though she visited the camp with relief materials worth over N10m, she said that there was need to set up what she called Special Trust Fund to rehabilitate the victims after the disaster.

    Emordi assured the victims that government and people of the state will make sure that their sufferings are alleviated.

    Some of the items presented to the victims by Senator Emordi included over 1,000 bags of rice, 1,000 pillows, 1,000 blankets, over 500 cartons of detergents.

    Other materials were large numbers of beverages, several cartons of canned tomatoes, over 1,000 tins of assorted vegetable oils, about 1,000 buckets, countless cartons of biscuits, among others.

     

  • ACN donates materials to Kogi flood victims

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday donated materials to victims of recent floods.

    The items, which were said to have cost N500,000, were presented to displaced persons at Adankolo, Lokoja, the state capital.

    ACN Chairman Mallam Haddy Ametuo presented the items.

    He said the party shared gifts during campaigns and presented materials to people in their moments of joy and grief.

    Ametuo said: “Though we are not in government, but as an organised political party, we are very responsible. That’s why we’ve come to the aid of our people. These items were donated because of the party’s policy of assisting the less privileged, not necessarily during electioneering campaigns.”

     

     

     

     

  • Like Noah’s flood

    Like Noah’s flood

    •The president’s speech is welcome, but should have declared emergency

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday addressed Nigerians on the rampaging floods that have lain the country prostrate, with hardest hit states like Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Plateau and, to some extent, Oyo literally buried under water.

    Though a bit late, the president’s speech is welcome. It at least reassures a hurting nation and a forlorn citizenry that they are not without some help. The president’s pledge, too, that himself and Vice President Namadi Sambo would start a sortie of visits to affected areas would resonate well with the victims, though there is also a clear feeling that the visits ought to have commenced in earnest.

    The president ought to have, first hand, spoken from the disaster areas, empathising and comforting; and followed it up with a formal speech of concrete action as he did yesterday. But be that as it may, it is better late than never. His dilatoriness, however, reflects a government without instinctive understanding of its responsibility as well as the redemptive impulse to act.

    Now, flooding is a natural disaster; and no one would blame the president and his officials for this tragic turn of event. Still, it is clear also that the response has been rather tardy. It is doubtful if the flooding would have been avoided if the various state governments had taken pro-active measures after the dire meteorological forecasts and warnings. It is, after all, the worst flooding crisis in Nigeria’s contemporary history. But it is clear proactive actions would have greatly reduced the present level of national anguish – and the situation in Lagos and Osun states, two flood-prone areas, which have nevertheless managed the perennial crisis this year, is a case in point. The overall moral: prevention is better than cure.

    That brings the matter to the presidential action plan, rolled out in the president’s speech. Grouping the 36 states and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory into four, according to the severity of the flooding, the president announced that Category A states would receive a federal grant of N500 million; Category B: N400 million; Category C: N300 million and Category D: N250 million. The grant is meant to fight the scourge and bring comfort to those affected. This is part of what the president called immediate N17.6 billion “in direct financial assistance to the affected states and federal agencies”, with the states getting N13.3 billion and federal agencies N4.3 billion.

    As far as positive reaction to a serious disaster goes, that is welcome. The president fell short of declaring a state of emergency on those communities. Such a declaration would give the special status of national anxiety and focus. But there is always the sickening poser as to the percentage of the grant that would go into solving the flooding problem and preventing future occurrence; and the percentage that would fuel corruption in private pockets. Pardon the seeming cynicism, but corruption is such a monster now that we will pretend otherwise at our own collective peril; and at a risk of even more serious flooding disasters.

    That is why the authorities must closely monitor the grant and ensure it is spent on the cause for which it is released. Besides, with all the 36 states getting a handout, it must be clearly made to all that it is not free money to be spent at the whims and caprices of the governing lords and their cronies. It is money to solve a pressing ecological disaster. For states least affected, it is to avert a future disaster. For those affected, it is to ensure such never happens again.

    That is the only way this payout can be justified. It is also the only way the gesture, no matter how well meaning, would not appear as a mere throwing of money at a problem not well defined.

    The flooding problems appear a political Flood of Noah, come to remind all that we have all gone astray in governance. We must make amends and survive; or continue in the old ways and perish.

     

  • Dangote, Agbakoba head FG’s committee on floods

    Dangote, Agbakoba head FG’s committee on floods

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the establishment of a National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to raise funds in support of government’s efforts to provide urgent relief for victims of recent floods across the country.

    The composition of the Committee is as follows:

    1. Alhaji Aliko Dangote – Co-Chairman

    2. Mr. Olisa Agbakoba – Co-Chairman

    3. Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. – Chief Fund Mobilizer

    4. Alhaji Karami Isiaku Rabiu – Member

    5. Alhaji Mohammed Indimi – Member

    6. Ngo Hannatu Cholum – Member

    7. Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija – Member

    8. Prof. Dora Akunyili – Member

    9. Mr. Tony Elumelu – Member

    10. Secretary-General, Nigerian Red Cross – Member

    11. Representative of C.A.N. – Member

    12. Representative of N.S.C.I.A. – Member

    13. Representative of the UNDP – Member

    14. Representative of the European Union – Member

    15. Representative of DFID – Member

    16. Representative of USAID – Member

    17. Perm. Sec., Fed. Ministry of Environment – Member

    18. Perm. Sec., Fed. Min. of Water Resources – Member

    19. Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Works – Member

    20. Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Agriculture – Member

    21. Perm. Sec. Federal Ministry of Health – Member

    22. Perm. Sec., Federal Ministry of Finance – Member

    23. Perm. Sec., Fed. Ministry of National Planning – Member

    24. Director-General, NEMA – Member

    25. Ag. Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees – Member

    26. Perm. Sec., Ecological Funds Office – Member

    27. Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties – Member

    28. Chairman, House Committee on Environment – Member

    29. Rep., Nigerian Union of Journalists – Member

    30. Rep., National Council of Women’s Societies – Member

    31. Mr. Tunde Lemo, (Representing the CBN) – Member

    32. Ms. Fatima Wali – Member

    33. Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. – Member

    34. Senator Florence Ita-Giwa – Member

    The Committee according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati  has been given the mandate to raise funds to complement government’s resources for the provision of relief to flood victims across the country and the post-impact rehabilitation of affected persons and communities.

    The Committee which is also expected to advise government on the judicious utilization of funds raised, has been authorized by President Jonathan to co-opt any other persons or organizations that it may find useful in carrying out its assignment.

    The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will provide a secretariat for the Committee.

    It has been given one year to conclude its task.

     

     

  • NUPENG seeks govt’s assistance for flood victims

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called on the Federal Government to quickly come to the aid of victims affected by the floods ravaging parts of the country.

    In a statement signed by the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Isaac O. Aberare, the union advised that a state of emergency should be declared in the affected communities, while relief materials and temporary abode be made available to them.

    The union added that a supplementary budget to assist the flood victims should be sent to the National Assembly for approval to provide succour for the affected people and their communities.

    The union commiserated with the families of those who lost lives in the floods. It also warned that state governments should desist from allocating and allowing buildings to be erected in flood-prone areas; especially around the river banks.

    It called on the Federal and state governments to, as a matter of urgency dispatch medical teams to the areas to avert epidemic and diseases from ravaging the communities.

    NUPENG re-iterated that the three tiers of government must begin to enlighten the populace on global warming or climate change, which is partly responsible for the upsurge. The union added that agencies of government, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), responsible for providing assistance to the affected people, should be alive to their responsibilities.

    NUPENG stated that adequate forecast should be made available as to the extent of such damages when waters are released from dams to make people move before they are trapped as it is done in advanced countries.

    Towards ameliorating the sufferings of the affected people, the union called on the Federal Government to assist the affected states with funds.

    It called for better ways to channel excess water from dams and to collaborate through a joint commission with the Republic of Cameroun where the excess water was first released.

     

  • Amaechi assures flood victims of support

    THE Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has promised to provide relief materials for victims of Omoku and Ahoada flood disaster.

    He spoke yesterday at Okwuzi, one of the flooded communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.

    Apart from Obrikom, Ebocha and Okwuzi communities, which the governor visited, other villages ravaged by the flood are Egbema, Kala and Opuogbogolo in Ahoada West local government area.

    Amaechi assured urgent and drastic steps will be taken to provide shelter, food and healthcare services for the displaced victims.

    According to him: “By Monday, we expect the executive council committee to take over. They will come with mattresses, clean potable water, food and medical items. Where we have primary schools those people that are displaced should take over.

    “We will get doctors to come and see if there are water-borne diseases, we will see what we can do to assist them.”

    Amaechi called on the federal government to come to the rescue of the state.

    “We never knew that the flood affected Rivers State until some few days ago. And it is bad, very bad. What I saw today is a monumental national disaster,” he stated.