Some residents in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have solicited the state government’s intervention in averting future floods by ensuring that the waterways are free of buildings and silt.
On Monday, some communities in the LGA suffered diverse effects of flood, including loss of properties, farms, and alleged deaths.
The communities, Ogale and Agbo-Nchia, experienced many houses submerged while in Alesa, the area affected was formerly a water collection centre which was bought and refilled.
According to sources, the area had never experienced the flooding of this year’s magnitude and was not a residential area but occupied by churches, workshops, and shops, among others, which were affected by flood.
Speaking with reporters, Mr Joel Oluka, former Councillor, Ogale Ward, Eleme Area Council, attributed the recent flood in Ogale to unregulated activities of estate and land developers.
He accused some developers of constructing on unapproved sites, enroaching natural waterways and flood plains.
Oluka, therefore, urged the local and state government to intervene by way of regulating the activities of developers.
He also expressed concerns about the plight of displaced residents whom he said had yet to return to their homes and businesses.
“Part of the lasting solution should be reactivating the natural waterway, even though houses have been built on them.
“If possible, the government should pay some compensations to property owners so they could allow room for adjustments on their properties.
“This will enhance free flow of water through the Agbo-Nchia canal,” he said.
Speaking also, Mrs Chua Abbey, a farmer in the area, lamented that farmlands were not left out of ordeal as farm produce, especially tuber corps, were destroyed.
Another resident and trader, Mr Frank Dimpka, also said his business in the area had been shot down following the flood incident.
“This is causing more hardship for my family; that’s why, I’m appealing to the government to come to our aid.
“There’s urgent need for demolition of all unapproved buildings on the waterways.
“Decongestion of water channels will go a long way to reducing flood challenges in Ogale community,” he said
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) identified Rivers as a state with considerable risk of flash flooding and predicated flood risk for low-lying areas in the state for 2025.
NiMet also advised residents of flood prone areas to adhere to government instructions for safety by clearing drainages and preparing emergency measures to reduce impact.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Government recently launched a three-day intensive intervention programme to desilt and clean drainages across key flood prone areas of the state.
Rivers State Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and Chairman of the 2025 Rivers State Flood Management Committee disclosed this in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Friday 17th October 2025.
Prof. Odu said the desilting programme is being carried out by the Flood Management Committee, in collaboration with a coalition of civil society groups and community-based organizations, noting that the intervention began in the early hours of Thursday, 16th October 2025, at Eliozu by Egbolo axis and covers both Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas.
According to the Deputy Governor, the operation focuses on clearing canals and gutters to ensure a free flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding in the region.
“This intervention is an immediate measure to temporarily mitigate the effects of flooding in our communities”. The Deputy Governor stressed.
Prof. Odu, while expressing her appreciation to all civil society groups and community-based organizations volunteering their support to the Rivers State Flood Management Committee’s initiative, disclosed that the intervention would continue for the next two days.
It would be recalled that the 2025 Flood Committee was inaugurated by the former Sole Administrator of the State under the emergency rule; however, on resumption of office the State Chief Executive, Sir Siminalayi Fubara directed the Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu is the Chairman and has demonstrated strong capacity.
It is not yet known if the Committee’s mandate would extend to Eleme and other LGAs of the state.
