The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development of Rivers State,Samuel Eyiba says the ministry will synergize with sister ministries as well as relevant agencies to tackle the impact of the impending flood predicted by the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA.
Eyiba made the commitment when he received in audience the leaderships of a Socio-cultural group -Orashi National Congress and the apex socio-cultural organization in Ekpeye land, the Uzugbani Ekpeye Worldwide who separately paid him a courtesy visit at his office, in Port-Harcourt.
The commissiiner noted that flooding is a threat to many communities communities; and that the state government owes the communities the responsibility to take steps to cushion the effects of the expected deluge.
He further hinted that people will be moved to safer places as part of measures to mitigate the impact of the forecast flood.
The Commissioner, who is a member of the Orashi National Congress also admonished his people to desist from tampering with government property, particularly, oil pipelines which run through communities in Orashi.
Speaking earlier at the visit, the President General of Orashi National Congress, Emeni Ibe lauded the Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development for what he described as his proactive moves to the issues of flooding, particularly in Orashi communities.
Ibe, however appealed to the Commissioner to give more support to the programs of the Orashi National Congress which he says are geared towards the development of the people of his extraction.
Also speaking, the President General of Uzugbani Ekpeye Worldwide, Ukechukwu Michael Nyemenem emphasized the need for government’s attention to be shifted to the Orashi area to solve the perennial problem of flooding in the axis.
Ukechukwu promised to contribute his expertise and experience as a medical Doctor while also pledging that other stakeholders of Orashi Region would equally collaborate with the government of Rivers State to fight flooding.
He further expressed optimism that the Commissioner, Samuel Eyiba as a son of Orashi would make the area proud by championing actions that would improve the environment of the Orashi Region and Rivers State in general.
Highpoint of the visit is the bestowing of a certificate of Honorary Membership on the Commissioner
by the Orashi National Congress.
In another development, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Development, Samuel Eyiba has warned that the Rivers State government will hit hard on those he described as quacks in the Water Producing industry.
Eyiba issued the stern warning when the leadership of the Hygienic Water Producers Association of Nigeria Rivers State chapter paid him a familiarization visit at his office in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner, maintained that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the health and safety of its residents.
Speaking earlier, the Rivers State chairman of Hygienic Water Producers Association of Nigeria, Egbiri Oderi said the visit is also to restate the association’s support to the ministry as partners in progress.
Oderi, however hinted that there may be an increase in the price of sachet water which he says is as a result of the high cost of production materials.
