The Rivers State Flood Management and Prevention Committee has embarked on a massive desilting of canals across the state.
Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu stated this during the inspection of the ongoing desilting of the Rumuokwurusi River in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
According to the Deputy Governor, “We are experiencing blockages in creeks, rivers, and canals, which are affecting the flow of water, especially during rainfall.”
She added that the Government is tackling the issue through a tripartite approach with the Ministry of Works clearing some sections, the Ministry of Environment handling others, while the Flood Committee is lending additional support, noting that flash floods have become a nuisance in the State.
Prof. Odu disclosed that a swamp buggy is being used to clear the waterways to enable smoother water flow, noting that although some parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas have not yet been reached, residents should exercise patience, as the Ministries of Works and Environment would soon extend their operations to those areas.
Prof. Odu further explained that the Committee is focusing more on Local Government Areas that have been severely affected, stressing that relief materials would be distributed to communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, and Ahoada West Local Government Areas on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
“While we are doing that, we identify certain communities that are heavily impacted and provide them with special relief packages. For instance, in Ndoni, especially Ward 15, it is a very low-lying area, practically below sea level, and it gets flooded very easily. When such situations occur, there are two options: either to evacuate residents to higher ground and IDP camps or to deliver relief materials directly to them. They prefer the second option because they would rather remain with their loved ones. Therefore, we are packaging relief items with that in mind. The Local Government Councils will complement the State Government’s efforts by also providing assistance to other affected residents,” Prof. Odu stressed.
On his part, the Representative of NEMA, Dr. Chituru Ogundu explained that following the flood predictions by NIMET, NEMA downscaled the forecast to the State level, prompting proactive mitigation measures by the State Government. He noted that both NEMA and the Rivers State Government have been jointly providing relief materials to affected communities.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Rumuokwurusi Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Clifford Wali, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Flood Committee for undertaking the desilting exercise. He lauded the Deputy Governor for personally visiting the community to monitor the exercise despite the heavy downpour.
