Over 50 communities have been submerged in Isoko land resulting in the creation of five relief camps for displaced person.
Disclosing this yesterday, Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuzuorie Macaulay confirmed that over 6, 500 adults, excluding children which far outnumber the adults have successfully been evacuated and registered in the camps.
Meanwhile, the Isoko nation has commended Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Isoko political class led by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuzuorie Macaulay for the prompt action taken to rescue and rehabilitate victims of the floods ravaging over 50 communities in Isokoland.
Making the commendation today during an emergency meeting of all Isoko stakeholders at Oleh, President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Chief Greg Akpojene said the government’s prompt response and initiative of the political class have saved lives in the communities affected.
The meeting was attended by Senator James Manager, member representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Hon. Leo Ogor, member representing Isoko North State constituency, Hon. Tim Owhofere, NDDC Commissioner, Chief Solomon Ogba, Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Sir Patrick Ferife, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) betty Efekodha, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Barr. Orezi Esievo, pioneer Speaker, DTHA, RT. Hon. Emma Okoro among others
Briefing the meeting earlier, Comrade Macaulay enumerated the efforts of the Government since the crisis began to include setting up of five relief camps in Isoko with two at Ozoro, two at Oleh and one in Irri. adding that there was an ongoing operation to evacuate more people from Ivrogbo jetty.
He said that as the last count, over 4000 people, excluding children are living in the camps while more are still been evacuated with the possibility of setting up another camp at the Enwhe/Olomoro axis of Isoko.
Stating that state resources alone cannot cope with the situation, the SSG said, “What we are doing has no political platform. We are all working for the general interest of the Isoko nation. I therefore enjoin all to see this as effort geared towards saving the lives of our people. The Isoko man does not know boundaries in emergencies but some of us are behaving strangely. What has happened to our values? We need to change for the sake of posterity.”
He said one of the major problems being faced is that some of the affected people are resisting relocation despite the dangers they are facing, appealing to traditional rulers to help to talk to their subjects to lend support in various ways, especially in areas where the camps are located.
Comrade Macaulay also called on religious bodies to also assist in ensuring that the displaced persons have maximum comfort, urging all well meaning Isoko sons and daughters in the Diaspora to contribute their quota towards the rehabilitation of the affected citizens.
Also at the meeting were all Isoko traditional rulers, Christian Association of Nigeria and Presidents-General of all Isoko communities as well as the members of the Isoko political class.
