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The Rivers State House of Assembly has called for urgent action to tackle flooding that has displaced families and rendered several roads inaccessible across parts of the state.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, made the call on Tuesday after leading lawmakers on an inspection of flood-ravaged communities in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
According to a statement by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, the inspection followed a motion raised by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, during plenary.
Somiari-Stewart had urged the Assembly to take urgent steps to address the worsening flood situation and reports that residents had lost property and sources of livelihood.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Amaewhule said lawmakers decided to visit the affected communities after receiving distress calls from constituents.
“As an Assembly, we deemed it necessary to move around the streets of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt to see things for ourselves.
“What we have seen clearly shows that flooding requires urgent attention,” Amaewhule stated.
The Speaker said the inspection showed that several families had been displaced, while flooding had made some roads inaccessible.
He said some areas were affected by blocked canals and neglected drainage channels, while others were flooded as a result of natural water flow.
Amaewhule urged government agencies responsible for desilting drains to act promptly to prevent what he described as avoidable flooding.
The Assembly had earlier raised concerns over reports that poisonous reptiles had entered some homes submerged by floodwater.
Somiari-Stewart, who raised the matter under Order 26 of the Standing Orders of the House, called for urgent action to protect residents in affected communities.
Following the motion, lawmakers unanimously approved an inspection of flood-affected communities in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
During the inspection, the lawmakers visited several flooded locations and listened to residents recount the impact of the flooding on their homes, roads and livelihoods.
