Rivers monarchs seek medical care for flood victims in IDP camps

• Task FG, states on life after floods
• State promises continuous supply of relief materials

The Council of Traditional Rulers in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Council of Rivers State has called for urgent medical attention for internally-displaced persons. It said that sudden exposure to unpleasant environments in various camps had led victims to various sickness and diseases.

Chairman of the council, His Royal Majesty Everistus Amuda, who expressed worry over the high level of devastation caused by the flood in the Orashi region of the state, urged the federal and state governments to plan towards rehabilitating and reviving the economic well-being of victims when the flood is gone.

According to him, early plan towards such is imperative because flood wreaked severe havoc and caused huge damage to property and farmlands, among others. Amuda, who in an open letter to Governor Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, thanked him for the approval of N1 billion for flood victims, however, requested a close monitoring of the fund to ensure transparency, adding that their sons should be included in the committee.

He said that the money, if well utilised, would go long way in providing for the displaced person. He also urged various oil companies operating in the state and also wealthy sons and daughters to come out and see how they could help their communities in this prevailing times.

In another development, the host communities of oil and gas in the Niger Delta have said that the appointment of the new Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Emmanuel Audu, followed due civil service rule.

The host communities condemned the alleged reports criticising the recent appointment made by President Muhammadu Buhari on Audu, noting that the letter of appointment duly issued by the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Okon Umana, is in consonance with an existing gazette issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and re-affirmed in subsequent releases to curb issues of non-compliance and the need to check bad blood among officers in MDAs.

IN another development, Chairman of Rivers State Taskforce on Flood Management, Dr. George Nwaeke, yesterday, promised continuous supply of relief materials and evacuation of trapped flood victims.

The chairman reiterated government’s commitment to ameliorating the hardship brought by the natural disaster, stressing that the task force has plan to curb future casualties, as well as organising a post-flood programme.

He said that the rescue of trapped persons and supply of relief materials and medical aid were part of the first phase of the programme, adding that presentation of food items will not be a one-off thing.