Egi Flood Update: Victims Lament Absence of Health Care

…As EPA Committees commence distribution of palliatives Friday

These are indeed tough times for victims of flood disaster in Egi kingdom, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State following reports of several challenges confronting them at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) Camps.

Apart from not having a comfortable place of abode, the unfortunate persons numbering over 100,000 in the area complained lack of health services as they develop fear of spread of diseases which is a concern to everyone. But commended the moves by the Egi People’s Assembly to cushion their sufferings.

Though, stakeholders and spirited Egi sons and daughters under the auspices of the Egi People’s Assembly, (EPA), have started making moves to cushion the effects of the flood on the people by setting up Flood Emergency Committees to raise funds and manage distribution of palliatives personally raised by the them, to the people, the internally displaced persons in the camp have called for more assistance from the government.

This was contained in the latest update on the flood situation in the area as released by the Egi Flood Media, Communications and Publicity Committee.

According to the reports: “The water level within Ede, Obite, Erema, Ogbogu and Akabuka remain the same as the water has a moderate water flow current going towards Ahiahu zone.

Gauge tiding as at today 19th October 2022, Oboburu flank of the Orashi River 0.960, still stable.

According to the report, the Central Working Committee, through the Chairman, Dr. Chukwuemeka Abirinze and Secretary, had sent relief materials to Umu-Obor communities through Oboburu, Obigbor and Ohali CDC chairmen. The materials includes; 40 units of sleeping foam, 8 packs of BNC mosquitoes spray, 20 units of mosquitoes nets and 10 bathing towels.

The also disclosed that the physically challenged persons within Egi also received 5 sleeping foams, 3 units of mosquitoe nets and 2 sleeping blankets.

The report reads in part; “While Erema camp received from the EPA’s Central Working Committee 15 units of BNC mosquitoes spray, Akabuka camp also received 20 units of BNC mosquitoes spray. Obite Camp, received 10 units of BNC Mosquito spray, Ogbogu camp located at the Community Primary School got units of 20 BNC mosquito spray, and finally Idu received 6 units of sleeping foams, 2 packs of BNC mosquitoes spray, 4 sleeping blankets, 4 mosquitoes nets and 4 bathing towels

“There was no rescue/evacuation report for today

“On Safety, People in the visited locations complained lack of health services as they develop fear of spread of diseases which is a concern to everyone.

“Due to the retraction of some boats engaged in Oboburu-Akabuka, Obagi-Ede-Obigbor and Ohali-Elu-Ede routes by TotalEnergies, there were limited movements towards Umu-Obor zone.

“The Central Working Committee had her first meeting today where the following decisions were reached;

Creation of Sub-Committees and assignment of members.

Sharing and distribution of available palliatives takes place on 21/10/22.

Sharing modality shall be by category (degree of flood impact).

Egi leadership shall be implored to persuade TotalEnergies to increase the number of boats and canoes instead of retraction to avoid generating untold hardship.”

The committee also captured that the people Ede Community for the past one week is faced with water eruption from the ground flooding inside houses built low without elevation or german flooring. “There’s similar flooding on our farms, causing every day harvesting of cassava & other cash crops for this year’s & last year’s farms. This is terrible & unbelievable.”