Flood: Five die in Delta, US pledges $1m support

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, on Thursday, confirmed that the state has recorded five deaths so far due to the flood ravaging the state.

Okowa, who disclosed this when he visited IDP camps, assured the victims of the government’s continuous support.

“From records so far, about five lives have been lost to the disaster. It is very sad and we regret the loss,” he said.

US pledges $1m

The United States has pledged $1m in immediate humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by unprecedented flooding in Nigeria.

The support, which will come through the US Agency for International Development, provides emergency shelter assistance, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices amid the ongoing cholera outbreak, and multipurpose cash assistance for people impacted by the devastating floods.

In a statement sent to The PUNCH, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, said the country regrets the effects of the unusual rainfall and will not renege on its obligation to provide humanitarian assistance across flood-ravaged areas.

Obi visits victims

Meanwhile, Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Benue State to sympathise with victims of flooding and Internally Displaced Persons.

Obi, who was in Makurdi, visited Daudu IDP camp and victims of the flood at a rice mill in Wadata, Makurdi.

While addressing the flood victims in Wadata, Obi said, “The flood is not an accident. It was meant to happen. It was something the Federal Government could have controlled, but they failed to do something.”

The LP candidate said he suspended his campaign to go around the country, including Benue, to sympathise with the people.

Ijaw women lament

The Ijaw Women in America have also raised the alarm about the worsening living conditions of flood victims.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by their National President, Mrs Eunice Apreala, and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

It partly read, “We, the Ijaw Women of America Incorporated, bring to the world’s attention the recent flood across Nigeria that has left many lives and properties in a devastated state, particularly the Ijaw people in the Niger Delta region, yet no state of the Federal Government has declared a state of emergency over this troubling development.

“It is noteworthy that this neglected area produces the lion’s share of all the oil used to keep the Nigerian economy afloat.”

Apreala added,“I plead with all people, both local and foreign, to come up with aid in support of our people. We are crying for help; we don’t want to lose one more life, every life is important and their destiny needs to be fulfilled.”