THE Delta State Government has advised those living in riverine communities to relocate to safer places to avoid the impending flood.
The Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Chika Ossai Ossai who spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving service held at the Great Gospel Ministries (TGGM), Asaba, explained that the fact that some communities were already flooded in some parts of the north was a strong indication that the flood is real.

The flood alert is not a joke. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has shown serious commitment to safeguard the lives and property of Deltans. He has set up committee on flood which has Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro as Chairman. But, it will be better if people move to safer places. They can go and temporarily live with their
families, the ordeal may not be more than a month but we should not wait for it to happen before we relocate,” Ossai cautioned.

He said that those affected by the 2012 incident, especially people in Oshimili South, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Isoko South and North as well as
Patani, Ughelli South, Bomadi, Burutu, among other local councils should as a matter of urgency, relocate.
“The government does not want loss of lives. There should be minimal damage to property because, certainly, they cannot move with their houses but they can remove their valuables. The flood can get to your community, houses at any time, in the night;
afternoon or morning, just move to safe areas,” he stressed.

The commissioner noted that the best measure was for the people of the riverine settlements to relocate with relations for the time being, adding that government was incapable of halting a natural occurrence.