Rivers flood relief interventions impacted all – George Nweke

Dr. George Nweke a civil servant, Head the Flood Relief Taskforce appointed by Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers, Port Harcourt. In this interview with Southsouth Editor,  made available to 260vibes Global, he speaks on the challenges of the taskforce, and why politicians and other stakeholders should not politicise relief to victims.

Excerpts:
Challenges of taking relief materials to the innermost parts.

The major challenge that we have is logistics and means of reaching the people. The flood took many people unaware, even though they were warned. Some people don’t believe in science (that’s why they ignore warnings. There were ample warnings that the floods are coming, but people did not take them seriously. There are others who have a cultural affinity to their lands and home, and they feel denigrated being asked to leave their communities and go to IDP camps. Now we have avoidable emergencies, and we have to deal with those.

In Ahoada East where all lands are covered in water, refugee camps are set up in the next available neighboring LGAs, while even those who are not in camps are provided with foodstuffs, medical aids, and environmental services.

Now the entire local government area is submerged; there is no dry land. As a result, it is not possible to have IDP camps there. What we have is people living in storey-buildings are able to live in the upper chambers of their homes in the area. Others too are invited to join them. What they do is they move to the top floors or build platforms where they stay.

When they need to get things they enter canoes. It is sad and we are very concerned about their welfare and no effort is being spared to get succor to those who are in IDP camps and those who are living in clusters in Ahoada East.”

Dr. George Nweke who hails from Umukomanu, Umuogba, , in Omuma LGA, Rivers state, Nigeria.