Tag: Delta State

The Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has disclosed that it has not been able to ascertain the total number of houses affected by the tragic rainstorm that ravaged Jeddo, Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities in Okpe local government area.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr. Karo Ovemeso, Director of SEMA, to have said the level of damage left by the rainstorm is overwhelming and that assessment is still ongoing so that everyone affected by the natural disaster could be well captured.

“We went there yesterday and we have started assessing the level of wreckage left in the wake of the rainstorm.

“We have not been able to ascertain the total number of houses affected. The assessment is still ongoing. The level of damage is overwhelming,” Mr. Ovemeso told TNG.

Recall that residents of Jeddo, Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities were rendered homeless on Tuesday after a tragic rainstorm with hail ravaged the communities.

Among the critical infrastructures impacted by the natural disaster were healthcare centres, schools, several business premises, residential buildings, electric poles and wires, and places of worship.

Across the communities, the rainstorm removed roofs off buildings, roofing sheets were seen entangled in electricity power lines, while household items and building materials were strewn across compounds.

Residents displaced were seen moving their properties soaked in the rain. Business owners were also seen moving their badly damaged wares. Properties worth millions were destroyed.

“When we do assessment, we report to the government. The State government sent a high-level delegation to the affected communities. So, there should be an immediate action,” Ovemeso told TNG.

Speaking further, the SEMA Director said: “There is no way the government will send a delegation to the affected communities if there are no plans to take actions.

“With the delegation sent to the communities, you should know the State government’s level of readiness and the importance the government place into that disaster by sending such high-level delegation to that place.

“Because of the level of damage done, the assessment is not what we will hurry through.

“This is so that we will be able to capture everyone that is affected by the natural disaster. So, that we do not have issues of leaving some people out”.

The Delta State Government has issued a strong warning to residents of the State against the indiscriminate felling of trees, following a devastating windstorm, heavy rainfall and hailstones that occurred on Tuesday in Okpe local government area.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr. Ejiro Jamani, the State Commissioner for Environment, issued the warning on Wednesday after visiting the communities to assess the devastating rainstorm that ravaged the area.

The affected communities are Jeddo, Ughoton and Ugbokodo, located behind the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC).

The Commissioner confirmed TNG’s reports that the rainstorm impacted health centres, schools, worship centres, several business premises and residential buildings.

Mr Jamani, who led a delegation of government officials to an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities, said the natural disaster wreaked havoc, causing widespread damage to homes and rooftops across the affected communities.

“Our team visited Ugbokodo, Jeddo, and Ughoton communities to ascertain the extent of the damage. Among the critical infrastructures impacted were the Ughoton Health Centre, Ometan Primary School, Ughoton Secondary School, Ugbokodo Health Centre, Ugbokodo Secondary School, several business premises, residential buildings, and places of worship,” he said.

At each community visited, Jamani conveyed the deep sympathy of His Excellency, the Governor, and the Delta State Government to the people of Ugbokodo, Jeddo, and Ughoton over the unfortunate incident.

“I assured them that we share in their pain and stand in heartfelt solidarity with them during this challenging time. I also took the opportunity to reassure all Deltans of Governor Oborevwori’s strong commitment to safeguarding lives and properties across the state.

“I assured residents that a detailed environmental investigation will be undertaken to determine the root cause of the windstorm and to develop appropriate response and mitigation strategies,” Jamani said.

He added: “In light of this incident, I reiterated the importance of environmental stewardship by all residents of the state. I warned against the indiscriminate felling of trees, which leaves our communities vulnerable to harsh environmental consequences.

“I therefore urge all residents to desist from such harmful practices and instead embrace tree planting as a proactive measure to combat climate change and reduce the impact of extreme weather events”.

TNG reports the Commissioner was joined on the visit by the Member representing Okpe Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. James Augoye; the Chairman of Okpe Local Government Area, Chief Isaiah Isiowa; officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA); the Ministry of Education; and other relevant stakeholders.

The Delta State Government has assured that there will be intervention for residents of Jeddo, Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities in Okpe local government affected by the tragic rainstorm of Tuesday.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Delta Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ejiro Jamani gave the assurance on Wednesday while assessing the level of the devastating impact left by the rainstorm.

“The devastating effect is worrisome,” the Commissioner for Environment said, adding: “However, no life was lost”.

The torrential rainfall, accompanied by strong winds and hail, caused significant damage to properties worth millions of Naira.

Worship centres, schools, health centres, electric poles and churches were destroyed, while several residents were rendered homeless.

In some areas, roofing sheets were seen entangled in power lines, while household items and building materials were strewn across compounds.

Reacting, Mr Jamani said: “We have assessed the situation at Ughoton. We are now at Ugbokodo. The devastating effect is worrisome. However, no life was lost.

“We have not been able to ascertain the number of houses affected. They are so many, worth millions. Worship centres and schools were affected.

“The Delta State government will do the needful but I cannot say 100% at the moment what the government will do.

“I am here as the Commissioner for Environment. The Okpe local government Chairman is here. The honourable member representing Okpe in the State House of Assembly is also here. The Commissioner for Secondary Education sent the CIA.

“So, we are here for on-the-spot assessment. We will put a report together and take it to His Excellency the Governor of Delta State”.

Jeddo, Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities in Okpe local government area of Delta State on Tuesday experienced a devastating rainstorm that left houses badly damaged and properties worth millions destroyed.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the rainstorm that occurred along with high magnitude winds and hail has left many homeless, with the residents now calling on the government for intervention.

It was gathered that the rainstorm along with strong winds and hail started around 4:30 pm and lasted for about 30 to 45 minutes, leaving devastation on its trail.

The severe weather event, it was gathered, uprooted trees and blew roofs from buildings. The number of houses affected was yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

However, an eyewitness speculated that almost all the houses in Ughoton and Ugbokodo communities were affected while only a few houses were impacted in parts of Jeddo community.

“No death was recorded, but no house was spared. The roof of Esezi Secondary School in Ughoton was removed and Glorious Christ Evangelistic Church building also in Ughoton was completely destroyed.

“We have not experienced rainfall that comes with hail for a period of over two decades. Some of our children have not seen something like this before. To them, it is something new. But, we never had it this bad in the past.

“The rainstorm caused significant damages to our houses and properties, and has impacted various aspects of our lives since yesterday. The government should come to our aid,” a resident of Ughoton told TNG.

When contacted, the Councillor representing the area, Mr Christopher Ejoh, said: “There is no much I can say now. The destruction is overwhelming. We are still assessing the level of damage done”.

ALSO READ || Delta: Assessment ongoing – SEMA gives update on tragic rainstorm in Okpe communities

Meanwhile, Delta Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ejiro Jamani told TNG that the State Government  is aware of the rainstorm in the area and that the government will speak on the matter after assessing the situation.

“Yes, we are aware. It is a natural disaster. It is no fault of anyone. I am going to the communities this morning for on-the-spot assessment. It is after the assessment I can make comments,” Mr Jamani told TNG.

@chiefoyiboHouses, properties destroyed; residents rendered homeless as violent rainstorm wreaks havoc in Jeddo, Ugbokodo, Ughoton communities in Delta♬ original sound – Oyibo