By Olusegun Samuel Precious
The Rivers State Government has officially commenced the distribution of relief materials to communities affected by the 2026 flooding, with a firm assurance that the intervention will be executed without political bias.
The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, gave the commitment on Tuesday while leading committee members to distribute relief packages to affected residents in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
“Flood doesn’t know party; it affects everybody. The things we have also bought will not know party,” Odu stated, emphasizing that assistance will reach victims regardless of their political affiliations.
She explained that Governor Siminalayi Fubara reconstituted the flood management committee to ensure a swift, structured response to the ongoing flooding. Oyigbo was selected as one of the pioneer distribution sites following impact reports submitted by the local council.
To cushion the impact of the disaster, the state government delivered a substantial supply of food and non-food items, including:
Food Supplies: 150 bags of rice (25kg), 500 bags of beans, 107 bags of garri (25kg), 200 cartons of instant noodles, 300 packs of vegetable oil, 40 gallons of palm oil, 196 packs of seasoning cubes, and 30 bags of salt.
Non-Food Items: 200 beds, 200 pillows, 200 plastic buckets, 200 pairs of bathroom footwear, 200 bathing soaps, 200 body creams, and 100 towels.
Focus on Long-Term Mitigation
Beyond immediate relief, Prof. Odu outlined plans for post-flood assessments to capture affected individuals who are not currently housed in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
She commended the Oyigbo Local Government Council for its public sensitization efforts while warning against practices that exacerbate flooding, specifically pointing to blocked drainage channels and illegal structures erected along waterways.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that the state is collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to secure additional relief consignments from Abuja, while also calling on corporate organizations, philanthropists, and public-spirited individuals to support the state’s efforts.
Receiving the delegation, the Executive Chairman of Oyigbo LGA, Hon. Okechukwu Akara Nwaogu, expressed gratitude to the state government for its prompt intervention.
Prof. Odu was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Education alongside other key members of the state flood management committee.
