πππ πΌππππππ πππππΏπΌ πππΏππππΌπππ ππ-πππ-ππππ πΌπππππππππ ππ πππππΏ-πππππ πΌπππΌπ πΌππΏ πππΌππ ππΎππππ πππππΌπππΌ (ππ½π πππππΌππ)
~ π΅πππ ππππΎπ½ππΊππΎ π½πΎπππ ππππ ππΏ π½ππΊπππΊππΎπ πΊππ½ ππΎππππΊππππ ππΏ π½ππ πΊπππ½πΊππΎπ½ πππ»π ππΌ ππΌππππ ~
In proactive response to the August 2025 forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed Rivers State among places likely to experience flooding, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Sir (Hon.) Allwell Ihunda DSSRS, JP, on Wednesday 29th October, embarked on a comprehensive on-the-spot assessment of flood-prone areas across the city.
The inspection covered several major drainages, canals, and waterways to enable the Mayor and his team obtain firsthand information on areas prone to flash flooding within the LGA.
The exercise is part of the Councilβs preventive measures to fine-tune modalities for immediate desilting of drainages, evaluation and expansion of canals, and maintenance of collapsed drainage walls.
Sir Allwell Ihunda who was accompanied by his Deputy, Hon. (Mrs.) Tom Quinn Mina Mildred, the Council Engineer, Engr. Charles Nnaji, Councilors of wards 19 and 20 respectively during the inspection, expressed displeasure over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages by residents, describing such actions as βa major human factor worsening natural flood disasters.β
βEven though flooding is largely a natural disaster, some human actions significantly contribute to its severity. How can people be throwing waste into drainages instead of disposing it properly? We must all do the right thing and support government efforts to tackle this challenge,β the Mayor stated.
He further urged residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices and environmental cleanliness as a collective responsibility, emphasizing that the fight against flooding requires both government action and community cooperation.
Areas visited during the assessment include Amadi by LNG Road, Amadi Ama Community, Ohiamini Street in Elekahia, the canal in front of Lasmall along Elekahia/Rumukalagbor Link Road, Olu-Obasanjo Road, Okija Street axis, and Ikwerre Road by Mile One Police Station.
In the course of the inspection, the Mayor also made a stopover at the State School Elekahia (UBE Primary), where he was received by the representative of the Head Teacher, Mrs. Olivia Boms that showed the Mayor around the school facility for him to have an opportunity to personally assess the deplorable condition of the school facilities.
Sir Allwell Ihunda expressed disappointment over the state of the learning environment, describing it as βunacceptable for the children of Port Harcourt City.β
βWe cannot allow our children to learn under such poor conditions. It affects their concentration, confidence, and overall learning ability,β he lamented.
The Mayor therefore assured that the Council will immediately commence a total renovation of the school to restore it to a conducive learning standard for the pupils.
This on-the-spot assessment reflects the Mayorβs commitment to proactive governance, environmental safety, and educational development, ensuring that residents of Port Harcourt City LGA continue to enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive city.
