Ukodhiko Sympathizes With Flood Victims, Says No Place Like Home

The flood has started taken a devastating effect on our people, especially those that are living along the riverine communities and those staying in communities that are prone to flood.

Commenting on the disturbing situation today, the PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Isoko Federal Constituency, Pastor Engr. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko stated that the flood came at a time Nigerians were struggling to cope with the harsh economic reality of the country as a result of the inept handling of Nigeria's economy by the APC-led central administration.

Speaking further, Ukodhiko said; "Images from social media and situation reports from the various communities that are already affected by the flood have shown that the water level keeps rising daily with more families being displaced daily.

"The disturbing video posted by Barr. Duncan Afahakor of the terrible situation of the Umeh bridge which is on the verge of collapse as a result of the continuous rise of the water levels is worrisome because the bridge is the only access road to Umeh, an Isoko community located along the East-West road, and a major producer of food crops.

"Outside the attendant socio-economic losses which our people have suffered as a result of the flood due to the destruction of their crops and property; it is pertinent to note that our people who stay along the coastal communities are predominantly farmers and traders and as such, this flood is going to hurt them till mid-next year or till even late next year, as most of them will not be able to restart their farming activities due to the destruction of their farmlands, inputs, and seedlings for next year planting season.

"I am calling on the Government at all levels to increase the 'emergency situation level' as the ravaging flood menace continues unabated. This has become a National Emergency because the affected people who are now vulnerable, urgently need to be resettled in temporary IDP camps, under proper care.

"Government should put adequate measures in place for evacuation operations, provision of improved IDP care camps, and initiation of on-the-spot assessment of critical infrastructures in affected communities to see if remedial works can be carried out on them pending when the flood will ebb, to forestall full destruction of such infrastructures.

"In a time of natural disaster like this when humanity is affected, it calls for sober reflection and collaborative effort of all well-meaning individuals, religious bodies, NGOs, humanitarian organizations, politicians, and Governments at all levels to rise to the occasion and provide succor to those who are affected.

"Our people who are unfortunate in these trying moments as a result of the flood need us, and we must rise to the occasion to provide them with interim relief as a way of cushioning the devastating effect the flood would have on them, psychologically and emotionally.

"Sincerely, I sympathize with all the victims of the flood, and my thoughts go to all the families and the communities that are affected by the scourging flood, and especially to those who have lost their sources of livelihood, I empathize with them as the ravaging flood has adversely plunged them into a precarious situation.

"I know they are not feeling great now, but with the right support, I am confident they will surely get through it. We must collectively do all within our means to reach out to the people who are affected and ensure we provide some form of assistance to them, as our attention now should be on how to rescue and evacuate those that are still stranded in the flooded communities.

"I earnestly pray that the flood should start receding so that our displaced people can return to their homes on time, as there is no place like home" Ukodhiko added.