PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE — Days of heavy rainfall from Sunday to Tuesday have led to devastating flooding across multiple local government areas in Rivers State, with Port Harcourt and its environs experiencing unprecedented damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Residential communities and business hubs such as Mile One, Diobu, D/line, Choba, Rumokoro, Emohua, Ahoada, Ogoni axis, and Oyigbo are among the worst hit. In many areas, water channels remain blocked, and no flood awareness campaigns or coordinated mitigation measures had been implemented prior to the disaster.
Victims expressed frustration and despair.
“Our shops are flooded for three days now, we are hungry but have nothing to eat,” said Friday Mbah, a local trader.
Another victim, Michael Barine, added: “We lost electronics, beds, chairs, generators — everything.”
Despite early warnings from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) identifying Rivers State as a high-risk flood zone, drainages were not cleared, flood committees were not activated, and no relocation plans were in place before the rains began.
In response, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), Sole Administrator of the state, has urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate immediately, clean out drainage channels, and report environmental violations.
BAYELSA STATE APPEALS FOR FEDERAL INTERVENTION
In neighbouring Bayelsa State, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has called on the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and development partners to provide urgent support to combat recurrent flooding and coastal erosion.
“Bayelsa is widely affected by flooding every year. Several of our Atlantic-facing communities are vanishing. We need large-scale shoreline protection, but we lack the resources,” he said during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa.
While acknowledging NDDC’s past contributions, Ewhrudjakpo urged stronger collaboration on long-term infrastructure solutions. He directed the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control to accelerate:
- Clearing of major drainage systems
- Dredging of flood-prone areas
- Preparation of temporary camps for displaced persons
- Assessment of high-risk communities such as Akenfa-Epie and Tombia
The Way Forward:
Both state governments are now racing to address the growing humanitarian and environmental crisis. However, without swift federal intervention, emergency relief, and long-term investments in flood mitigation and drainage infrastructure, experts warn the disaster could worsen — especially as the 2025 flood season approaches. The affected communities continue to plead for urgent attention, food aid, and resettlement support as water levels remain high and damages mount.
