The Rivers State House of Assembly has called for urgent measures to address the worsening flooding situation across the state, following an inspection of flood-affected communities in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, during the 55th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held on Tuesday September 29, 2026.
Rising under Order 26 of the Standing Orders of the House, Stewart drew the attention of the Assembly to the worsening situation, noting that residents had lost property and means of livelihood to the floods.
She also expressed concern over reports that poisonous reptiles had taken over some submerged homes, urging the House to take urgent steps to address the situation.
The Deputy Majority Leader prayed the House to visit the affected areas to ascertain the severity of the flooding. Ruling on the motion, Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, expressed sympathy with residents affected by the floods and urged lawmakers to visit their constituencies, assess the situation and provide assistance where possible.
Members subsequently voted unanimously to visit some flood-ravaged areas in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas. During the inspection, lawmakers visited several flooded locations, assessed the level of destruction and listened to residents recount their experiences.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Speaker Amaewhule said the inspection was prompted by the motion adopted by the House and distress calls received from constituents across the state. He said, “As an Assembly, we deemed it necessary to move around the streets of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt to see things for ourselves. What we have seen clearly shows that flooding requires urgent attention.”
The Speaker lamented that several families had been displaced, while roads in some communities had become inaccessible, describing the development as a major concern requiring immediate government intervention. According to him, the Assembly observed that some of the flooding was caused by blocked canals and neglected drainage channels, while other areas were affected by natural water flow.
Amaewhule stressed the need for relevant agencies responsible for desilting drainage systems to discharge their responsibilities effectively to prevent avoidable flooding. The Speaker expressed optimism that the Rivers State Government would respond appropriately to the situation and take necessary steps to tackle flooding and protect lives and property across the state.
