By David Obes
As flood begins to take its toll in many parts of the country, Delta State government has been applauded for taking a proactive measure to combat it as well as mitigate the effect on the victims in flood- prone areas.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Asaba, recently, a former Commissioner on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Chief Henry Ofa (JP) noted that the State government has displayed tremendous commitment to contain the ravaging flood with the strategic framework already put in place.
Ofa said that part of the proactive measure was the setting up of inter-ministerial committee by the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, which is headed by the deputy governor Barr. Kinsley Otuaro to take a critical assessment of the flood prone areas and come up with a logistic strategy on how to control it as well as evolve remedial measures, including the relocation of the internally displaced persons to camps.
The former DESOPADEC Commissioner and one time Executive Secretary SUBEB, who expressed delight at the state governor’s gesture in doling out about 35.25million to the victims of camp 74 fisher men in Asaba, whose fish ponds were submerged by flood, said it takes the understanding of a caring leader to have identified with such category of farmers in their moment of need.
In his words, “Definitely, this is the kind of leader that Deltans want, prompt, visionary, caring and humble. A leader, who is ready to go the extra mile even at great sacrifices to show love and protect the collective interest of Deltans, particularly the poor and needy” he said.
He also commended the state government for collaborating with critical stakeholders NEMA, NIMET, and NOA in the pursuit of an enduring solution to the perennial challenge of flood, which according to him, had claimed the lives of some persons and rendered many homeless in the past three months.
