– Aloysius Okerieke, Warri

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents Chapel has called on the Delta State Government to urgently assist flood victims in Warri metropolis and environs who are being affected by the recent torrential downpours and floodings in the state.

The appeal was contained in a communique issued at the end of their monthly congress on Thursday and signed by Okies Okpomo and Dele Fasan, the Chapel’s Chairman and Secretary respectively.



The media practitioners noted that the heavy rains which started earlier in the week not only ravaged and had adverse effects on several communities in the state.


They however advised residents in flood prone areas to heed the earlier warnings from different relevant Federal Government agencies like the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on flood.



The union also enjoined residents across the state to clean their drainages and desist from emptying garbage into drains to avoid blockages.



In addition the union urged the state government to immediately intervene by coming to the rescue of the flood victims, particularly those living in the flood prone areas, by possibly evacuating them to safer locations, for the fear of more heavy rains that are likely to be witnessed before the end of the year.



While reiterating the urgency on the need for the government to wade in, the Chapel noted with concern the losses reportedly suffered by many residents whose houses and business premises were submerged by flood on the heels of the three day consecutive heavy torrential rains.



The union went further to renew their call on the State Government to accord priority attention to the rehabilitation of all failed roads and drainages within Warri metropolis and environs noting that this would go a long way in mitigating the problems arising from flood in these Delta communities.



Specifically, the Union tasked the management of Warri, Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency (WUEDA) to rise up to its responsibilities by positively impacting on the mandate communities.