Over the decades, the people of Oko-Anala, Oko-Ogbele and Oko- Amakom in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State have been living near the bank of the River Niger, between Anambra and Delta States, and have had to contend with sporadic overflows from the river, but nothing in the scale of what happened, this year.

The state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was flabbergasted when he inspected the damage wreaked by flood in the communities and practically swore that he was going to relocate them from the flood-prone environment. At the back of Government House on Asaba-Anwai Road, Asaba, several other riverside communities, bordering Anwai in Oshimili South and Illah waterside in Oshimili North local government areas were submerged.

In a community in Ndokwa-East local government area of the state, a traditional ruler, who was being evacuated from his undersea community drowned when the boat capsized, while old men, women and children climbed trees like monkeys in some affected communities to escape the rage of the flood that had swallowed their homes.

Three persons have been reported dead and over 300, 000 persons rendered homeless in 220 communities in the state in the latest sea surge. A riverine dweller, Mr. John Okotie, told Sunday Vanguard, “The flood reminded me of days of Noah in the Bible when God sent flood to wipe out the entire human race because of sin”.

He is not alone. Niger-Delta activist, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, who hails from Ogheye community in Warri North local government area, told Sunday Vanguard, “We are living in water; the rage of the River Niger is not strange to us. It overflows every time and swallows our people and their homes, we have been crying over the years that government should come to our assistance, nobody listened to us, Newuwumi asserted.

Like Omolubi, ex-chairman of Gbekebor, a predominantly Ijaw fishing settlement in Burutu local government area, which is also inundated by flood, Comrade Alapala Ebitonmo, told Sunday Vanguard, “Ocean surge has constituted a threat to our lives and property for many decades, but we never dreamed of what happened this year”.

His words, “The havoc wreaked by the water on the community is unusual and pathetic. It has accounted for a large proportion of losses; properties worth millions of naira, people are prone and infected with deadly diseases, all schools in my town have been closed down, residential houses and commercial shops devastated”, he added.

President of Gbekebor Peace Movement and secretary of Gbekebor Urban Community, Messrs. Oyinkro Egberibo and Tonfa Cyprian respectively, passionately to the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Governor Uduaghan, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC  and non-governmental organizations,  NGOs,  to come to the aid of the community.

Briefing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on the rescue operations and distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood disaster in the state, chairman of the state’s Rehabilitation Committee for Flood Victims and Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, said, Wednesday, that from the indications on grounds, the situation could get worse. Governor Uduaghan, who, last week, gave marching orders to top government officials from the affected areas to relocate to their domains and assist the victims, had been thinking nothing in the last few days, but flood and its effect the people of the state.

You could see the anguish in him as he paddled a boat to Anwai and some other affected communities on Wednesday. As somebody who has been ventilating on climate change before now, he knew as his deputy stated that danger is not over yet.

Just as Utuama was reporting to him on Wednesday, news came that another community, this time, Ogodobiri in Bomadi local government area has gone underwater.  A government official from the area said, “My community, Ogodobiri is submerged. Our farms, which is the source of livelihood for the people have been destroyed.  Hunger looms in the land, residents are crying for help, they need help from the Federal Government, state government, NEMA, NDDC, NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians”, he added.

Uduaghan, who is also from Abigbrodo, a riverine community in Warri North local government simply told reporters, “This year’s flood is unprecedented. As many of you know, the latest disaster was triggered by the unusually heavy rainfall that was recorded this year and the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun, which was thought to be a proactive step to contain what, if they had delayed further, would have been a major catastrophe”.

God bless delta state.

The flood really caused a lot of damage but the State Government is doing their best to ensure that the displaced persons are well taken care of in the present circumstance. I appreciate His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON) for his commitment to the welfare of the displaced persons. My appreciation also goes to the members of the political class, Non Governmental Organisations churces and Philantropists that have made donations to the displaced persons. God bless you all in Jesus name. Amen.

The Delta state government under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan ( CON ), has perform wonderfully well. Even the minister of environment have to say and I quote that Delta relief camps are the best in the flood affected state in the country. Your Excellency Deltans are saying thank you sir.

I have never seen Deltans so united like this before. The government of Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON) has demonstrated that he is very much concerned with the welfare of the displaced by the flood. The state Government has set up over 18 refuge camps with learning and health facilities as well as vocational, training, skill acquisition cum recreational facilities in the camps. We commend the government for the show of love and hereby call on Multi National Oil Companies in the area to come to the aid of the displaced persons. The redeemed Church of God, and the Oleh Diocese Anglican Communion, Umeh Need Road Forum as well as other NGOs that has made donations are hereby appreciated. We appreciate Hon Leo Ogor, Senators James Manager, Pius Ewherido, Ifeanyi Okowa are not left out. God bless you all, together we will overcome this.

My greatest problem here is the fact that chief great Ogboru find it difficult to assist the flood victim but he keep blaming the governor who is working very hard for his problem

Few weeks ago the issue of flood disaster crept into headline newsreel across many national dailies front page and several communities in Delta state were not left out in the flood disaster account. To many, it was a end of the road story, but not with the timely intervention by the state government led by Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and other well meaning Deltans who stood up to the challenge of providing succor to the displaced. Tones of relief materials, food items and medical services including security have also been made available generously to flood affected victims in all the Camps across the state. Tens of camps have been set up in upland locations close to the affected communities and efforts have adequately been channeled to salvage the ravaging flood situation. The efforts of the state governor and other concerned Deltans are indeed commendable and greatly encouraged to continue to exist,while initiatives for a lasting solution is solicited from professionals.