Flood kills fisherman, sacks 200 orphans in Delta

By Emma  Amaize,  Austin Ogwuda & FESTUS AHON

WARRI—THE ravaging flood sweeping through Delta State, Sunday, killed a 53-year-old fisherman, Mr. Adepere Wilfred in Bobougbene community, Burutu Local Government Area of the state and sacked 200 inmates from their orphanage home at Irri in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

Twelve pregnant women and 10 children, however, escaped death when the boat they were escaping from the surging ocean in Ayakaromo community capsized. They were rescued by fishermen.

In Adepere’s case, he was said to have run into a violent flood, which overturned his boat and he died before help could come to him.

A youth leader, Mr M. Enaibo, lamented that flood had destroyed the entire community and pleaded with the state government to come to the rescue of the victims.

It was learnt, however, that the affected orphans had been transferred to a relief camp at Oleh and a politician in the area, who facilitated the evacuation of the orphans, bought a generating set to provide power in the town hall where they are quartered.

Reacting to complaints that internally displaced persons were abandoned and not  properly catered for,  state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Erezi Eseivo,  said that living condition of IDPs in various camps in the state had improved.

Meanwhile, deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Basil Ganagana, yesterday, donated relief materials to flood victims from Patani Local Government Area.

The items worth thousands of naira, includes food stuffs, toiletries, mattresses amongst others.

Presenting the items to the refugees at the Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli camp, Ganagana said, he was touched by the sufferings of the people.