Residents of many riverine communities across parts of the Niger Delta have raised the alarm over worsening flooding, with some families forced to abandon their homes and seek temporary refuge in neighbouring communities considered safer.
The development was disclosed by the Officer in Charge of the Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States Waterways Patrol and Head of Riverine Security (Coast-Guard of the Federation), Captain Eric Foutoro, after a patrol operation in the region.
Foutoro said the Riverine Security waterways patrol team observed rising floodwaters in several communities along the Bomadi waterways and other parts of Bayelsa State during recent patrols across the creeks and waterways.
According to him, some residents had already begun relocating to nearby areas less affected by the rising waters.
He said the team recently assisted residents of Akugbene and Ogbuyema communities in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, as well as residents in other affected locations, where floodwaters had risen considerably.
Foutoro said the rising waters had made it increasingly difficult and unsafe for some residents to remain in their homes.
He added that Riverine Security personnel across the Niger Delta remained prepared, within the scope of their operations, to provide transportation and logistical support to legitimate humanitarian and emergency efforts involving government authorities, humanitarian organisations, private organisations and individuals assisting affected communities.
The Commander-General of Riverine Security, Commander Bibi Oduku, called on the Federal Government, relevant ministries and agencies and state governments in riverine areas to urgently establish accessible emergency locations and temporary shelters for residents displaced by flooding.
Oduku expressed concern that many vulnerable residents in hard-to-reach riverine communities continued to face difficulties accessing assistance despite previous government interventions and humanitarian responses during flood emergencies.
He also called for greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of relief materials to flood victims.
According to him, humanitarian organisations, government agencies and other bodies often provide food, relief materials and other assistance, but concerns remain over whether such interventions consistently reach the communities and individuals most affected.
He urged authorities and humanitarian organisations to work closely with credible community-based structures, local representatives and appropriate security or monitoring teams familiar with the affected areas.
“Any authority or organisation supporting flood-affected citizens should work with people who know the affected communities and join them to the right locations, so that the real victims of the flooding can receive the assistance provided for them,” Oduku said.
He also appealed to governors and state governments in riverine states not to neglect communities located in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Oduku urged state governments to prioritise the safety, welfare and basic needs of riverine residents, particularly during periods of flooding and other emergencies.
He called for sustainable measures, including accessible emergency shelters, effective evacuation plans, improved waterways emergency response systems and transparent mechanisms for delivering relief materials directly to affected residents.
Also speaking, the Head of Operations covering Rivers to Cross River States, Captain Oprom ThankGod, described the impact of the flooding on residents in riverine communities within his area of responsibility.
Oprom said officers had devoted time and resources to assisting flood-affected residents, including helping some people move to communities and locations considered safer and less affected by the floodwaters.
He said the temporary relocation of residents was necessary in some areas while awaiting further interventions from relevant state and federal authorities.
Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of Lagos and the South-Western States, Captain Balogun Friday, said flooding was also affecting residents living in waterfront and riverine communities.
He warned that some residents, including those living in areas with significant property investments, could be forced to temporarily leave their homes if floodwaters continued to rise.
Balogun urged residents living around waterways and other flood-prone locations to remain vigilant and prepare for possible temporary relocation where necessary.
He said Riverine Security leadership had instructed its personnel to undertake humanitarian and safety-support activities within their respective areas of responsibility, particularly where residents faced immediate risks from flooding and other emergencies.
Balogun also highlighted ongoing security operations by the Joint Task Force and Nigerian Navy to tackle reported cases of illegal oil bunkering, piracy and other criminal activities on waterways across the country.
He stressed the importance of effective coordination among security agencies, local communities and relevant stakeholders in maintaining safety and security in riverine areas.
Riverine Security reaffirmed its readiness to support legitimate emergency and humanitarian efforts within riverine communities of the Niger Delta and other areas within its operational scope.
The organisation called for stronger coordination among federal and state authorities, emergency-response agencies, humanitarian organisations, security agencies, community leaders, private organisations and individuals willing to assist flood-affected communities.
It urged stakeholders to prioritise the protection of lives, timely evacuation where necessary, accessible emergency shelters and transparent distribution of relief materials.
