RIVERS YOUTH LEADERS BLAME JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC FOR FLOODS IN PORT HARCOURT

A foremost youth group known as the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC) has come out to blame Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the massive floods experienced in many parts of Port Harcourt on Thursday, following the heavy down pour.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC), Comrade TAMUNOBELEMA TAMUNOIMAMA, said
the President of the Coalition, Comrade LEGBORSI YAMAABANA laid the blame when he visited some of the affected flood scenes within Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor LGAs.

The statement made available to Brave Views said COMRADE YEMABANA observed that the major cause of the flood was the inability of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to carryout feasibility studies, as practiced globally; before embarking on the construction of roads and flyovers in the State.

It is worthy to note that the floods ravaged areas like but not limited to Woji Road, Hospital Road, Mgbuoba NTA Road, Diobu, D/line, Olu Obasanjo Road, Rumuogholu community, parts of GRA and adjoining areas.

A large number of houses were submerged in the affected area and residents trapped in their homes by the rising flood water.

The statement quotes Comrade LEGBORSI YAMAABANA as recalling that the erstwhile Commissioner for Environment in the State was sacked for daring to question Julius Berger’s reckless construction without conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The statement read in parts saying:

“Also, the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition was persecuted and called all manner of names by the State Government for making similar demand from the company.

“The flood that is ravaging Rivers State is just a tip of an iceberg, it will persist as long as the State Government continues to protect Julius Berger and pay lip service to the unprofessional conduct of the company”.