By Magnus Chukwudi, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Government in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) has launched a three-day intensive intervention programme to desilt and clean drainages across key flood prone areas of the state.
Rivers State Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and Chairman of the 2025 Rivers State Flood Management Committee disclosed this in a statement from the Government House, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
Prof. Odu said, the desilting programme was being carried out by the Flood Management Committee, in collaboration with a coalition of civil society groups and community-based organizations, noting that the intervention began in the early hours of Thursday, 16th October 2025, at Eliozu by Egbolo axis and covers both Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas.
According to the Deputy Governor, the operation focuses on clearing canals and gutters to ensure a free flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding in the region.
“This intervention is an immediate measure to temporarily mitigate the effects of flooding in our communities”. She stressed.
Prof. Odu, while expressing her appreciation to all civil society groups and community-based organizations volunteering their supports to the Rivers State Flood Management Committee’s initiative, disclosed that the intervention would continue for the next two days.
It would be recalled that the 2025 Flood Committee was inaugurated by the former Sole Administrator of the State under the emergency rule; however, on resumption of office the State Chief Executive, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, directed the Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu to be the Chairman and has since then demonstrated strong capacity.
In just a few days since taking over from the previous committee, the Flood Committee has already hit the ground running, by collaborating with interest groups and organizations. ###.
