Editorial Note: To the world, it is just another flood. At Hello ICON Magazine, we see the talents, families and at-risk communities who bear the brunt of every climate story. This report from Rumuowha precedes the launch of our Climate and Human Talent Series this October 2026.
Hundreds of landlords in Rumuowha community, Eneka, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have appealed to the state government to urgently intervene as severe flooding has submerged homes and displaced families.
Speaking on behalf of the landlords, Edwin Otabot described the situation as unbearable, saying many residents have been forced to seek alternative accommodation.
“We are just in September, and already we have flood inside our houses, not just the compounds. I have contacted an agent to look for accommodation because I want to relocate my family. We have two buildings here, but they are both submerged.”
Otabot alleged that the flooding worsened following drainage works connected to road construction projects in the area. He said residents had expected the drainage infrastructure to be completed, but the project was allegedly abandoned.
He said residents were initially excited when the ring road project extended to Rumuowha, believing it would end their years of difficulties, but alleged that drainage from several neighbouring communities was eventually channelled towards the residential area.
“We have thousands of families here, with more than ten estates, including schools and churches. Opening water from several communities into a residential area is absurd. This is a serious damage to the community.”
According to him, more than a thousand homes have been affected, with residents losing property worth millions of naira. He said he had personally spent over N500,000 trying to save his belongings since the latest flooding began, yet the water continued to rise.
Otabot appealed to the Rivers State Government to urgently call the contractor, Julius Berger, to address what he described as the damage caused by the drainage system, stressing that residents cannot afford to wait until the dry season before a solution is found.
“We are not asking for relief materials. We need a permanent solution to the flooding so that our families can return home. We don’t need an IDP camp in this environment.”
Other landlords who spoke said the flood had already displaced several families, with some residents reportedly seeking shelter in churches because they cannot afford alternative accommodation.
Another landlord said the situation had become particularly painful for families who had struggled to pay rent and build homes, only to be forced out by flooding.
“Paying house rent in Rivers State is not easy. Somebody manages to raise money to put a roof over his head, and suddenly a bad drainage system causes havoc and chases people out of their homes. It is very sad.”
The residents are therefore calling on the Rivers State Government to urgently intervene and compel all relevant authorities and contractors to find a lasting solution to the flooding, warning that continued inaction could leave more families homeless.
Our correspondent, who visited the community, observed that more than 10 estates have been submerged by flood, including churches and schools.
