Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has disclosed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved a ₦200,000 cash stipend for 35 households affected by flooding at Edmac Estate, Mercy Land, Nkpolu Extension, Rumuigbo in Port Harcourt.
Prof. Odu disclosed this when she received a delegation of residents of the estate at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
She said the Governor approved the financial assistance following the devastating impact of the flood, which forced some residents to evacuate their homes.
According to her, the State Government had earlier provided food and other relief items to the affected residents and enrolled them in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to ensure access to healthcare.
The Deputy Governor said the cash assistance was part of Governor Fubara’s commitment to supporting vulnerable flood victims across the state.
“His Excellency has said that beyond giving you food items and providing health insurance, we should look for a little stipend to give to a certain number, especially the most vulnerable people,” Prof. Odu said.
She explained that the first phase of the intervention would benefit 35 households, adding that beneficiaries had already begun receiving alerts for the ₦200,000 payment.
Prof. Odu assured residents that the State Government would work with the Ministries of Environment and Works to identify permanent solutions to the recurring flooding in the area. She noted that the low-lying nature of the estate contributed to its vulnerability, while stressing that some of the problems were also human-induced.
The Deputy Governor urged residents to complement Government efforts by keeping their surroundings clean and avoiding practices that obstruct waterways and drainage channels. She said recent desilting and clearing of culverts in the area had already improved water flow.
Prof. Odu reaffirmed that the flood intervention programme is inclusive and not restricted to Rivers indigenes.
“We are not saying it should only be Rivers people. We are not saying that it should only be indigenes. We are doing it for everybody that resides in Rivers State,” she said.
She commended members of the Flood Prevention and Management Committee, particularly officials of the Ministries of Environment and Works, for their commitment to implementing the Governor’s directive, assuring that the committee would continue to identify areas requiring urgent intervention.
Responding, the Head of Security in the estate, Mr. Hilarry Uba, commended the State Government for its intervention, saying it had lifted the spirits of affected families.
“On behalf of the residents and the people of this area, I bring our warm appreciation to the Government, especially the leadership, for coming to our aid at this difficult time,” he said.
Also speaking, an American humanitarian residing in the estate, Mr. Cliff Jarrell, thanked the State Government for responding to the plight of residents.
“We want to sincerely appreciate you personally, your very active team, top Government functionaries gathered here and the Executive Governor of this State,” he said.
On her part, Mrs. Amarachi Echele, a widow and one of the victims, thanked Governor Fubara for extending what she described as a “milk of human kindness” to the affected residents.