Dawari George visits Rivers’ flood-ravaged Councils, donates relief materials to IDPs

Governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, in Rivers State, Dr. Dawari George, has toured flood-ravaged parts of the state promising to end the perennial losses suffered by worst hit local government areas of the state.

Dr. George, who was accompanied by his running mate, Barr. Tonnie Anoruewhom, top members of his Campaign Organisation, State Chairman, Action Alliance, and other party executives, on Wednesday, visited parts of Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Councils, respectively. He expressed shock at the volume of the flooding and the large number of displaced persons.

While touring parts of Ahoada West worst hit, including Akinima, headquarters of the Council, Dr. George said his visit was to have first-hand assessment of the disaster, and dialogue with the displaced persons on the best way to solve the perennial challenge.

Dr. George informed them that himself and the Action Alliance were concerned over their plight. “We are here to see things for ourselves and not rely on news reports. What we have seen is worse than what we heard. So, our coming has provided us the opportunity to properly assess the problem and discuss with you people on how best to make this the last you’d ever suffer.

The AA governorship candidate explained to the victims that though it was a natural disaster, their case was made worse due to the absence of the will to work with local stakeholders to bring solution to the problem. He promised that under his Administration, deliberate efforts would be made to activate technology, the will and resources to prevent repeat of the losses the area suffers during flooding seasons. “Part of what we shall do as a government, when we come into office, is to first commit resources to to several interventionist efforts including dredging and shore protection. He spoke as he met flood victims taking shelter at townhalls and public schools in Akinima and Erema communities, respectively.

Speaking further as part of what would be his approach to resolving this challenge to the natural disaster and its huge economic impact on the people, Dr. Dawari George promised that his Administration would work with agriculture experts to introduce a new farming season in the areas such that quick-yielding crops would be cultivated and harvested before the flood season begins. “By doing that, you would have planted and harvested your crops before the floods would come. We shall provide silos and storage facilities where you shall store your farm produce while later selling them at good prices”, he told the thousands of victims who also narrated their ordeal to him. He also reiterated the importance of acting on weather and flooding advisory issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, saying that a responsive and responsible government ought to have evacuated the locals before the tragedy struck.

Dr. Dawari George, who also visited traditional rulers of the areas, decried the absence of a disaster management agency in Rivers State even as he explained that it was the duty of government to provide such an interventionist agency that would respond to disasters such as flooding, fire, and building collapse.

The flood victims made of adults and children, thanked Dr. Dawari Ibietela George for the timely visit, even as they noted that he is the only governorship candidate to visit and sympathise with them.

As part of his temporary measures to cushion their pains, Dr. Dawari George donated relief materials to the victims.