In a dire call for national solidarity, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Yekini Nabena has implored the Federal Government and international donors to prioritize emergency aid for the flood-ravaged Niger Delta region. The appeal comes amid unprecedented inundation across all nine states in the oil-rich area, displacing over 500,000 residents, submerging farmlands, and threatening food security in communities already grappling with environmental degradation from decades of oil exploration.
The Scale of the Crisis
Heavy seasonal rains, exacerbated by climate change and poor drainage infrastructure, have turned vast swathes of the Niger Delta into watery wastelands. Reports from affected states paint a grim picture:
- Bayelsa State: Yenagoa and surrounding creeks are overwhelmed, with homes in Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma local government areas completely submerged. Local fishermen report loss of livelihoods as waterways become impassable.
- Delta State: Warri and Asaba lowlands are hardest hit, with the River Niger bursting its banks and flooding markets and schools. Preliminary assessments by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) estimate damages exceeding ₦50 billion in agricultural losses alone.
- Rivers State: Port Harcourt’s outskirts, including oil-producing areas like Eleme and Gokana, face secondary risks from polluted floodwaters mixing with crude spills, raising health concerns over waterborne diseases.
- Other states like Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Ondo are also reporting widespread disruptions, with roads like the East-West Highway partially closed due to erosion.
Nabena, a former APC National Publicity Secretary, described the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe” in a statement released Tuesday morning. “The Niger Delta, which powers Nigeria’s economy through oil and gas, is now drowning in neglect,” he said. “While the world watches COP30 climate talks, our people are literally underwater. The FG must activate the Ecological Fund and mobilize resources immediately—before this turns into a full-blown famine.”
Voices from the Ground
Community leaders echoed Nabena’s urgency. Chief Ebiotu Orubebe, a traditional ruler in Bayelsa, told reporters: “Our children are sleeping on canoes. The floods aren’t just water; they’re washing away our future.” In Delta, women’s groups in Ughelli have begun distributing relief kits, but supplies are dwindling.
On social media, the crisis is exploding under hashtags like #SaveNigerDelta and #FloodND, with viral videos from Warri showing families wading through chest-deep waters to salvage belongings. X users (formerly Twitter) from the region are tagging @officialABAT (President Tinubu) and @NEMA_Nigeria, demanding swift action. One post from @DeltaYouthVoice garnered over 10,000 views: “Oil money built Abuja’s roads, but can’t fix our creeks? #NigerDeltaFloods.”
Government Response and Calls for Aid
The Federal Government has pledged initial support through NEMA, deploying rescue teams and 5,000 metric tons of food rations. However, critics argue it’s insufficient. Nabena urged donors like the World Bank, UN agencies, and oil majors (Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil) to step up, citing their environmental footprints in the region.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has activated its flood response unit, focusing on dredging key waterways like the Kolo Creek (as reported in related developments). Environmental activists warn that without long-term investments in resilient infrastructure—such as elevated settlements and mangrove restoration—these floods could become annual norms.
Looking Ahead
As waters recede, the focus shifts to recovery. Experts call for a multi-stakeholder summit involving federal, state, and community leaders to address root causes: deforestation, illegal sand mining, and climate inaction. Nabena concluded: “This isn’t charity; it’s justice for a region that has given Nigeria everything.”
The Niger Delta Herald will continue monitoring this unfolding crisis. Residents in affected areas are advised to contact NEMA’s toll-free line (0800-CALL-NEMA) for assistance. For donations, visit NEMA’s official relief portal.
