Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

A flooded area of Akinima

Over 200,000 thousand residents of Akinima town,headquarters of Ahoada West Local Government Area have been rendered homeless following the flood caused by the over flowing of the banks of the Orashi rivers few days ago.

Some of the flood victims lament that farmlands have been ravaged and they are now taking refuge in other communities.

Amachree Onisojikume Jonathan,the Community Development Committee Chairman of Akinima Town in Ahoada West Local Government Area said the failure of the Federal Government to complete the shore protection project started after the 2012 flood disaster is responsible for the flooding.

He said no serious measure was taken by government to prevent flood in the area despite the warnings.

Over 200,000 residents of Omoku in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA)  are also now living in fear that a repeat of the 2012 flood is on the way.

About 200,000 residents were displaced at the Ahoada West,especially Akinima,the headquarters of Rivers State, also in 2012.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA had earlier predicted that four local governments in Rivers State could experience flooding this year. The four local governments are Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual, and Ahoada East.

The Zonal Coordinator, South South of NEMA, Benjamin Oghene said the flooding might occur as a result of expected heavy rainfall.

Benjamin Oghene called on authorities in the affected local governments to take proactive measures to reduce the effect of the expected flooding.