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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A lady believed to be in her forties from Akarai community and another boy from Otuoku, both in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, have been swept away by flood ravaging the area.
This is even as the rampaging flood has overrun the skill acquisition centre in Ashaka earmarked as holding camp for displaced persons.
Chairman of the council, Mr. Juan Amechee Governor confirmed the developments on Sunday while giving an update of the flood situation in the area.
Commiserating with the families of the deceased, Governor disclosed the flood has so far displaced about 3,260 households in 66 communities across the various wards of the locality, submerging farmlands in the process.
According to him, the council met with the flood committee to review the reports of the LGA-wide flood impact evaluation and to develop a forward plan.
“After briefing the committee members of the meeting held with the Elders Advisory Council and some well-meaning leaders of the LGA about the flood situation and the resolutions reached, the various committees gave their reports,” he disclosed.
Governor said “few persons across the LGA have relocated from their communities to relatives and friends in unaffected towns and cities. These persons were evacuated through self-efforts, community efforts and few cases of council assisted evacuation.”
He stated that majority of those affected preferred to stay put because of the need to harvest farm produce; protect properties; lack of alternative ppace to relocate to.
“The state made attempt to set up IDP camp in Ashaka two days ago but flood took over the Ashaka Skill Acquisition Center that was earmarked as NELGA IDP camp. Consequently, the setting up of IDP camp in NELGA was put on hold.
“Some would have relocated to other IDP camps in Kwale, Oleh or Ozoro but accounts of the suffering endured during previous years flooding in IDP camps discouraged them from going to any of these camps.
“Some persons felt that it is too late to relocate having endured the hardship for over three weeks into the floods before the setting up of camps was considered.
“Availability of safe heavens where few families can cluster in, especially storey buildings both completed and uncompleted as well as some micro islands in some communities.
“Some persons just resigned to their fate and has no confidence in Government because according to them, it has become an annual occurrence and it is only when the impact is felt in some ‘Special’ areas that flood is given attention; forgetting that NELGA suffers floods on an annual basis,” he added.
According to him, the flood committee identified foodstuff, mosquito nets, portable water, toiletries, medication as key needs in the flood ravaged area.
He called for assistance from both state and federal governments as well as corporate organisations and well meaning individuals.
