…Urges States To Provide Security In Camps
After five days of intensive rescue operations in various parts of Delta and Bayelsa states which led to the successful evacuation of about 12,300 flood victims from danger-prone areas, the Dickens Sanomi Foundation, has urged the states governments to establish more camps with adequate security.
The Co-ordinator of “Project Rescue 10,000 Flood Victims in Delta and Bayelsa states” of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation, Mr Daniel Idonor, who made the call for more camps and enhanced security during a courtesy visits on traditional rulers of eight kingdoms and leaders of 32 Communities.
The Foundation’s delegation, which left Abuja with a 15-man team of experts and professional socials workers had paid a courtesy visits on the kings of Ewhu, Okparabe and Arhavwarien kingdoms and community leaders of Orere, Ogoda, Etefe, Asah, Olodiama, Ogwrugwru, Eruare, Isiepha, Ohanhen and the Youth leaders of Ewhu-waterside comprising 19 communities.
The Co-ordinator who told the royal fathers that the Dickens Sanomi Foundation was overwhelmed by the situation on ground, insisted that unless more camps and enhanced security were set up, human catastrophe looms, as the rising water level continues to sack more communities and villages,
He disclosed that the team which began its operations by evacuating some
3,800
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Ewhu, Okparabe and Arhavwarien Kingdoms of Ughelli South, Delta, as well as others that were stranded in Orere, Ogoda, Ogwrugwu, Eruare, Ohanhen, Omosiomo and Okamate, has also provided support services, by making the Ewhu and Arhavwriens new camps more habitable.
“In our operations, we provided two 500-seater engine boat and four speed boats at the Arhavwrien waterside. For the first four days, theses boats were used to evacuate IDPs from all the riverine communities. We also engaged the services of Rukevwe Transport Company in Ughelli, which conveyed people from the waterside to Ewhu, Okwagbe, Ughelli and Warri; all at no cost to the people”.
“The greatest success of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation’s rescue operation is the successful rescue and evacuation of the 118 years oldest man in Orere, Elder Ighonido Ewhre, and his family to a safer place within the new camp, we set up in Orere. We also evacuated a two-day old baby girl with her parents to Ughelli”.
“The Dickens Sanomi Foundation has also carried out major rehabilitation of the existing weak infrastructure, including replacement of doors, windows and ceilings of the dilapidated of the class rooms in the various Camps”.
“After five days of intensive rescue operations, the foundation is pleased to inform you that it has successfully evacuated total of 12,300 displaced children and adults, as recorded by our team from eight kingdoms and 42 communities, while fives camps have been set up. We are also providing support services in four government camps, including Orere, Arhavwrien, Ewhu, Okwagbe and Ughelli camps”.
“We have also established a warehouse in Ughelli, from where we intend to distribute food, medicals, cloths, beddings, toiletries and other relief materials from, in the next few days”.
Mr Idonor said the Foundation which is owned by a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Late) AIG Dickens O.P. Sanomi, is concerned over the poor security in the new camps and called on the commissioners of police in the respective States to deploy security personnel to the camps.
Responding, the Ovie of Ewhu kingdom, His Royal Highness, Onesa Ogaga, and Ovie of Arhavwarien, His Royal Highness, Ovie Solomon, Okrukere II, described the efforts of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation as the single largest operation by any private organisation in the area; and urged other public spirited individuals, groups and organisation to emulate the foundation.
The royal fathers also appealed to indegines of the flood affected area who live outside the area to return home and assist their people in the rescue and rehabilitation operations.