Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Delta Flood: Power Plant Submerged As Monarch, 5 Others Die
By SaharaReporters, New York
At least five people, including two children and a traditional ruler, have died as a result of continued massive flooding that has ravaged parts of Delta State in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. In addition, the floods have submerged a multi-billion naira Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP). Large parts of Ndokwa East local government area are also under water.
The still rising flood has affected parts of Asaba, the state capital, as well as such communities as Ovrode, Ofagbe, Okpe- Isoko, Lagos Iyede, Igeh, Ikpide Irri, Ivrogno, Onogboko, Itebioge, Iyede-Ame, and Azagba. Other flooded areas include Otoka-Ekegbresi, Egbeme, Okrama-Oyede, WarriIrri, IwrieOgbokor, Ekpe, Asafo, Umeh, Aviara, Uzere, Asaba-Ase, Aboh,Kwale, and Ashaka. Isoko South and North and Ndokwa East local government areas are the most devastated.
SaharaReporters learnt that the Okpai IPP was shut down, with the road leading to Okpai in impassable condition.
In Aboh community, the flooding led to the death of a local monarch and two children. Three other persons reportedly lost their lives at the relief camp in Ivrogbo, Isoko South council area. Survivors of the flood were then relocated to St. Michael’s College in Oleh, the headquarters of the local government area.
The flood wreaked havoc on farms, schools, courts, health centers, markets and electricity installations. People now use canoes as the only means of getting about in the flooded communities.
In an interview, Obi Emmanuel Obiechina, a leader of the Aika community in Ndokwa East local government area, said his residence was submerged by the flood. In addition, he stated that the lives of members of his community were shattered, with most of them refugees in various communities in Delta and Anambra States. Mr. Obiechina had taken refuge in a hotel in Asaba.
The traditional ruler said that he refused to send his people to camps for displaced people set up by the state government because those in the camps were being dehumanized. He blamed the excessive flooding on dereliction of duty by the government. “We have lived in that community for more than 500 years and we have not had this kind of disaster before. It’s the opening of the dams that have now brought this flooding on us. We are so devastated and everything that the Aika people have – land, crops, houses – have been washed away.”
He said the government had failed to address issues of dams and the dredging of the Niger and Benue rivers. He added that it was wrong to blame Cameroon for the crisis, adding that Nigerian officials had failed to do what was right all these years.
Mr. Obiechina accused the Federal Government of insensitivity to the plight of his people, adding that, whilst the entire Ndokwa East was under water, government officials were amassing wealth for themselves.
The ruler said some evacuees from his community were forced to live under harsh conditions. “Some of the little children find it difficult to cope because about 17 to 20 people have to squat in one small apartment,” he said, and then called on the government to take immediate measures to alleviate the suffering.
Speaking in the same vein, the National President of Ndokwa Youth Congress, Hessington Chimennma Okolo, said that the loss of human lives to the flooding was largely avoidable.
“It is unfortunate, really unfortunate that the entire local government is submerged under water and government at all levels are running helter skelter without any coherent plan on the ground to salvage the sad situation,” said Mr. Okolo, a lawyer.
He added: “To underscore the extent of this tragedy, the Agip-run IPP had to be closed down. This shows you what my people are going through.”
He disclosed that the traditional ruler of Adiai did not survive the flood.
“The most unfortunate of it all is that this is not a natural disaster per se but a man-made tragedy. There were warnings, yet the relevant authorities kept mute. This tragedy is mostly as a result of government negligence and irresponsibility. I hear there was a warning on radio and television but the question is – how many people in the villages along the River Niger really listen to radio and television? What the government should have done was to dispatch their emergency staff to the river areas to have a one-on-one with the communities. Instead they stayed in Abuja doing jingles on television and radio.”
Meanwhile, Ossai Ossai, the member representing Ndokwa/Ukuanni Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, has moved a motion in the House calling on the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to live up to its responsibility.
As at the time of filling this report most of these communities have not received any support from government authorities.
Meanwhile, a health official told SaharaReporters that there was a real prospect of an outbreak of disease among displaced residents who depend on the flood water as their only source of drinking water. “There could be a major health crisis in the area,” said the source, who asked for anonymity.
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NO FG IN NIGERIA
Submitted by bravo (not verified) on October 10, 2012 - 01:03.
FG is a playing, this flood need international hand not what FG is doing, FG is playing with nigerian life, in fact there is no FG in nigeria, The FG in nigeria is for their pocket only
my wife mean so much to me
Submitted by justice (not verified) on October 7, 2012 - 21:58.
please i am appealing to the very family who might be in custody of my beloved fiance and wife, please i really mean to ask you no matter what situation of flood you guys may have i want my wife save. and where you find it difficult pleas let me know.
Delta Flood
Submitted by Ako Oteri (not verified) on October 7, 2012 - 10:20.
My community Ivori-Irri in Isoko South LGA is flooded. Many of our people have relocated to other communities like IOleh. Our farmlands are covered by water.
BAD GOVERNANCE
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 16:29.
Everyone can now see clearly that our government administrative is weak for there is no historical education whereby we can fall back to history to know what has happen in the past in order to foresee the future i.e we don't have data base in this country in order to plan for the future. All our leaders are mediocre, they lack knowledge and have no foresight and what they are interested is to embezzle public fund. Anyway, perhaps this will be a token of lesson unto us.
PDP FOR EVER
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 16:01.
Blame yourselves for all the woes going on now in Nigeria. Fresh air you asked for, fresh air you are getting Good-luck to you all. Buhari is now cooling home dry after his tears, which was mistaken for defeat. Next time, better shine your eyes or face a worse scenario.
Re: Is NigComSat-1R ia waste of Public fund?
Submitted by Made in China (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 10:53.
Yes it is. Useless people running the show!
Why would any right thinking person buy anything made in China. They build bridges that collapse after few months in their own country and export low quality products to third world countries.
DELTA AND NIGERIAN FLOODS
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 10:34.
May the soul of the departed rest in peace.
It is indeed unfortunate that even to give simple information about the flood, Jonathan's government was incapable, not to talk of providing relief.
When Jonathan was condemned for sabotaging the dredging of River Niger (he deliberately did it to harm the North)and misusing the money, some okija and egbesu cultists and terrorists made a lot of noise.
What has happened could best be described by the Hausa proverb which says" when you dig the hole of evil becareful lest you fall in to it!
generators should be banned, then flooding will stop
Submitted by lisa justin (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 10:05.
Na generator emission de cause this flooding. Every house in nigeria has a generator. This gases are killing the ozone and this results in flood. Lagos is one of the cities going under water in a couple of years becos of the high emissions. The federal govt should ban generators in nigeria and the companies importing them, that is the only solution to this flooding
What is Ayo's business with flood?
Submitted by Kebus (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 10:04.
Why do you exhibit hatred to the man-of-God. What is his bisiness with flood that is ravaging the nation? Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm, says the Lord in Ps. 105:15.
Can NEMA Do Magic?
Submitted by Akpos (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 09:27.
Dear Uzodimms, NEMA may only be existing on paper. Some of these bodies/agencies are neither funded nor equipped.For example, OBJ budgeted 300 billion naira for Federal roads through the ministry of works under Tony Anenih.The possibilities are that either the money was not released Anenih or released and shared as per PDP standard. Look at another scenario Delta. Gov Uduaghan said he released the sum of 79 billion naira to DESOPADEC to develop the oil bearing communities. The Gov could not point at anything to show for this huge amount of money. In both cases mentioned above, the person who purportedly released the money for project do not ask for accountability. Reason. Endemic CORRUPTION. So, these could also be happening in NEMA. Period!
I wont particularly blame
Submitted by NSG (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 07:05.
I wont particularly blame govt because flood is a natural disaster but I urge govt to take all necessary steps to address the situation.
Effect of Corruption!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 07:02.
I do sincerely hope people can NOW see the handiwork of T(C)hief James Onanefe Ibori. If he used Delta's states money the way and manner it was meant to be used, this "natural" disaster wouldn't have been this unbearable. But since people like distinguishing based on tribe and ethnicity, maybe they should allow the flood water time to do so also. QED.
LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF HOLY GHOST THROUGH HANNATU
Submitted by Pastor Commander Samyoung Onwuzulike (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 06:49.
Listen Nigerians to voice of Holy Ghost The Mother of Universe from Hannatu Musawa. The Universe built with Her Three Arch Angels of Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel of the Word. She says Dont left any of my Son behind in the hell. Only Arch Angel Gabriel of the word resurrected with Jesus Christ but Michael of Defense and Lucifer of Prosperity, Happiness, Music and One Love are left behind in hell. Their follow angels are fighting the universe for their freedom. it's the root of all tribulations, terrorism, poverty, killer diseases, madness, global warming, divisions and wars. Dont blame President Johnathan but blame the Fathers in Churches, Islam, Traditions, Customs, Governments and religions. Their freedom will be the coming of fullness of Christ. Grace for Grace.Black World are the Lucifer while Arabs are the Michael of Defense. The Mothers have defense ministry.Judas Iscariot is the Lucifer of Wealth.
SPIRITUAL NAME OF FLOOD IS DEATH WHEN SIN IS UNCONTROLABLE
Submitted by Pastor Commander Samyoung Onwuzulike (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 06:24.
Sin of Nigeria has gone above the heavens and earth. Come fire of tanker and Pipe line fuel killers, followed with flood of Noah. Noah is Kalabari Name means The Universe made of Water from the foundation. Johnathan a man from water and a sign of the foundation of the universe which his people the scientist said, the world came as the result of co-incident.I, Commander Samyoung tell them I am the nature and Sun. My Universe is 46 Billion years not 4.6 Billion as the Scientist claimed. I bear the witness of myself no man bear it for me. Am the Sun the Evangelist of Christ who bear my testimony of Christ with Islam to proved that Christ is The Most High of the Livings and Dead. The morning prayer for Sunrise of resurrection and Evening prayer of Sun set of death.
flood could have been averted.
Submitted by Anonymousjoe (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 06:04.
This flood could have been averted if the proposed dredging of the river niger was executed before this time, but our leaders are just sitting there in tha national assembly for their own interest. so many time they have talked about this issue before this time but werent serious in executing it. this is what hapen when you put the wrong people in position. Only God will deliver this country nija.
CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 05:38.
THIS IS A TRUE CASE OF CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY WHICH OUR CURRENT AND PAST LEADERS MUST PAY FOR HERE OR HEREAFTER. TODAY IS BOKO HARAM /JTF FREE RIDE ON INNOCENT LIVES AND VALUABLE PROPERTIES, TOMORROW CORRUPTION, KIDNAPPINGS/INEPTITUDE/VIOLENCE, ETC. I REGRET TO BE A NIGERIAN. ONE IS BETTER OF BEING A CITIZEN OF SOMALIA OR EVEN AFGANISTAN. ALLAH YA ISSA. WHY WILL ABATCHA, YAR'ADUA, MARIAM IBB AND PATIENCE NOT DIE?
Where is PrEsident Jonathan?
Submitted by obj (not verified) on October 6, 2012 - 00:45.
Where is PrEsident Jonathan? Where is this
Guy Nigerians call their President. Not evev a
Speech in the face of natural disaster of. This
Magnitude. Whata shame.
Decades of neglect
Submitted by SJ (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 22:24.
Well spoken Yom Yom and the worst is yet to come.
Since we have decided that this system of corruption is the best we can do, we will live with the consequences.
CONFUSION
Submitted by The Trustworthy (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 22:07.
IT'S SO SAD THESE THINGS HAPPEN IN AREAS WHERE STATE AND COUNCIL FUNDS ARE BEING MISUNDERSTOOD BUT MOSTLY MISUSED FOR PERSONAL AND SELFISH REASONS. THE IGNORANCE OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS REGION BAFFLES THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULACE. THE FACT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SEEN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY MISFORTUNE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD IS TRULY UNFORTUNATE. WE HOPE RELIEF GETS TO THE AFFECTED WITHIN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE. MAY THE SOUTH SOUTH LEADERS AND MILITANTS WAKE UP TO THE CLARION CALL AND STOP AMASSING THE WEALTH OF THEIR PEOPLE. BY LYING, THEY CREATE MORE HARDSHIP/ IGNORANCE IN THESE COMMUNITIES WHILE THEY BUY JETS AND LIVE IN SAFE HAVENS ALL AROUND THE WORLD. MAY THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES REST IN PEACE.
Results of Corruption,monies meant for roads,drainages looted?
Submitted by Yom Yom on October 5, 2012 - 22:01.
They forget that all the corruption will eventually catch up with nigeria.
Unfortunatelu the poor will suffer most because of all this irresponsible people in govt,people needs to hold them accountable and tell them enough is enough.
It seems God is angry with
Submitted by Jide O (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 21:55.
It seems God is angry with Nigeria
Is NigComSat-1R ia waste of Public fund?
Submitted by Elmango Meat (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 21:54.
Flooding is claiming hundreds of lives in Nigeria and forced thousands more to relocate. The social, economic and health implication is mind-boggling.
Nigeria in 2007 successfully launched two Earth observation satellites to be be used for communication purposes and to monitor weather in a region seasonally ravaged by disasters. It did cost $257-million, but failed the following year due to a battery charging problem
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14563647
This was replaced by NigComSat-1R in 2011.
http://www.space.com/13975-china-rocket-launching-huge-nigeria-satellite...
How come NASA is able to monitor what is happening in Nigeria and our expensive satellites have failed woefully?
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=79149&src=googleplus
where is NEMA
Submitted by uzodimms (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 21:47.
Is NEMA exist only pages of newspaper or during air disaster, every state of the federation should have a well equiped NEMA, in a situation like this neighbouring state NEMA, armed forces would join hands to rescue the citizens within those environs.it appears everybody is just hiding in Abuja, at the end of the day all you hear is that Jonathan is weak, whereas there federal establishments to take direct care of these anomalies
NIGERIA SIN OF JONAH FOR THE END OF 46 BILLION YEARS OLD UNIVERS
Submitted by Pastor Commander Samyoung Onwuzulike (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 21:41.
From 1914 of Lord Lugard's amalgamation of North and South to 1960 was 46 years. From 1966 Coup that ends the 1st Republic to 2012 Fire and Flood of Nigeria is 46 years.One Physical year of the world is One Billion Years of the Spirit. 46 years it took the Israelites to rebuilt the House of God which Jesus Christ told them to destroyed that he will rebuild it in three days. Although he was talking of his body as the Temple of God.President Johnathan is Jonah given to unbelieving Nigerians.
Bayelsa state is even
Submitted by Amos Kemeowei (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 20:56.
Bayelsa state is even worst-with the governor DICKSON, refusing to come to the AID of communities like adagbabiri which is under water in the SALGA local government area-the governor has not eve taken the pains to visit or ask the villagers to re-locate to safer grounds-UDUAGHAN, has visited most of the areas affected by the flood-Not in Bayelsa state.
Ayo oritsejafor blood thirsty
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 20:33.
na so wata go carry them one by one even d crude oil. banza people!
Man Greed Rulers
Submitted by ediri sakpere (not verified) on October 5, 2012 - 20:32.
The greed of Man (our leaders) has no shame because of greed. Delta state is one of the richest in the country but it does not reflect on the people and the state. Apart from oil which is vast, the agricultural products in the state is one that can stand in any part of the world, but we have leaders/rulers who are our brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, cousins, fathers, mothers, friends etc, 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' Where is the LOVE. The wealth God provided us for our needs and wants because He knows our requirements and wants us to be happy, is stolen by a few(brothers, sisters, etc) and live a life of luxury all over the world, where is the LOVE? Corruption is endemic in the society, where is the LOVE?
