Rivers Flooding: Assembly Urges Fubara to Take Immediate Action as Communities Are Submerged

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take urgent measures to address flooding affecting several communities across the state.

The appeal was made by Speaker Martins Amaewhule after he and other lawmakers visited flood-affected areas in Port Harcourt to assess the situation. Persistent rainfall has reportedly caused flooding in parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, with several houses affected.

Assembly raises alarm over flooding

The issue was first raised during plenary when Deputy Majority Leader Linda Somiari-Stewart brought a motion drawing lawmakers' attention to the flooding.

Following the motion, Amaewhule led some members of the Assembly on an assessment visit to affected communities.

After seeing the situation on the ground, the Speaker said although government had taken some measures, considerably more needed to be done to assist residents facing the consequences of the flooding.

Amaewhule appealed directly to Governor Fubara to intensify the government's response.

“We are calling on the Rivers State Governor to take immediate steps to ameliorate the situation. That is why we have a government. That is why we have funds. A lot more needs to be done to help our people.”

Rivers Government confirms intervention

The Assembly's demand comes as the Rivers State Government has already announced measures in response to the flooding.

The state's official Ministry of Information website reported on September 30 that the government had approved the immediate relocation of students and staff of Community Secondary School, Rumuapara, to State Primary School, Nkpolu, in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor.

According to the government, the relocation was a precautionary measure intended to protect students and staff after severe flooding affected the school premises.

Rivers State Info & Comms

This indicates that the flooding is affecting not only residential areas but also public infrastructure and educational facilities.

Why the situation is drawing attention. The latest developments have placed additional pressure on the state government to provide immediate assistance to residents in affected communities.

The Assembly's intervention focuses on the need for government resources to be deployed to reduce the impact on residents, while the government's relocation of the affected secondary school demonstrates one of the emergency measures already being implemented.

The immediate concerns include the safety of residents, accessibility of affected communities and the continued operation of essential public facilities.

For residents in flood-prone parts of Rivers State, the effectiveness and speed of the government's response will remain a major issue as the rains continue.

Bottom line: The Rivers Assembly is demanding stronger and faster government intervention, while the state government says it has already begun taking precautionary measures, including relocating a flood affected secondary school.