The Minority Leader representing Aniocha and Oshimili federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has urged the federal government to dredge river Niger and its tributaries as a long-term solution to the flood menace.
The lawmaker made the call on Friday, during his visit to the six Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, housing flood victims in Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, Delta state.
Elumelu made cash donations to the six camps visited, a total of N25 million, to bring succour to the displaced flood victims. He also disclosed that he had made arrangements for the supply of relief materials for the flood victims, to enable them go back to their various communities when the flood recedes.
The IDP camps visited are; Ogbuaofu, Oneh and Head Bridge Camps in Asaba, Oshimili South, the Illah and Ugbolu Camps in Oshimili North as well as Ewulu Camp in Aniocha South, Delta state.
As reported by Vanguard, the federal lawmaker was accompanied to the IDP camps by other notable leaders in the constituency which included a renowned political leader in the State, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, the members representing Aniocha South, Oshimili South and North in the State House of Assembly, the Chairmen of the four Local Government Areas in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and PDP House of Assembly Candidates for Aniocha South and Oshimili North.
Elumelu, speaking to journalists after the camp visits, said that, as a representative of the people, the wellbeing of the people is the center point of his activities. He also maintained that, the wellbeing of the people is also the focus of his pary; The People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
In his words, “As you know, the wellbeing of the people is the center point of my activities as the representatives of my people. That is also the focus of our party, the PDP and our leaders.
“My Governor, His Excellency, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has demonstrated it several times and he continues to do so. As the child of the Governor and the representatives of the people, I am always in touch with my people and I am here to support those who are displaced as a result of the natural disaster.
“I am also calling on NEMA, as a matter of urgency, to attend to our resolution in the House of Representatives to send relief materials to our people. The Federal Government should also look for a long-term measure to address the flooding issue in the country and especially in my Federal Constituency.
“The Federal Government should take urgent steps to dredge the River Niger and its tributaries. This will address the problem of perennial flooding and end the suffering of our people. There should be an accelerated intervention in that regard so that as we enter the next rainy season, our people will not have to face this kind of situation.”
