Flood victims in Uwheru, a community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, have rejected government-provided relief materials, describing the aid as inadequate and insulting to their plight.
The relief items, presented by council chairman Olorogun Jaro Egbo and his team on November 15, 2024, included a single bag of garri, 25 bags of sachet water, and toilet rolls — an allocation deemed grossly insufficient for a population of over 15,000 people across 13 flood-stricken communities.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Youth Leader Egedegbe expressed frustration at what he described as a demeaning gesture.
“Uwheru is one of the largest kingdoms in Ughelli North, and we were excited when we heard relief was on its way,” Egedegbe said. “But what we received — a single bag of garri, some sachet water, and toilet rolls — is an insult. How do you divide one bag of garri among 13 communities? This is unacceptable.”
Mrs. Queen Evru, another resident, painted a grim picture of life in the flood-ravaged area.
“We’re sleeping by the roadside because of the floods. When they said relief was coming, we were hopeful. But instead, we got garri and toilet rolls — things we already have. What we desperately need, like rice and beans, wasn’t provided,” she lamented.
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The inadequate supplies have sparked allegations of corruption. A political leader, speaking anonymously, accused officials of diverting funds meant for flood relief.
“The relief items do not match the likely budget allocation. There’s no rice, no beans, no essential items. This fuels suspicion that funds were mismanaged,” the source claimed.
The rejection of the relief materials led to unrest in Uwheru, with tensions escalating into a confrontation. According to a security officer from the Ughelli Area Command, the incident involved a brief scuffle but resulted in no casualties.
However, Chief Press Secretary to the Ughelli North Local Government Council, Mr. Efe Ekete, denied the claims of rejection and unrest.
“There will always be dissatisfied individuals, but the distribution went smoothly. The chairman appreciated the community’s resilience, and most residents cooperated. Any disruptions were the actions of a few unruly elements,” Ekete stated.
The incident highlights the frustration and abandonment felt by Uwheru residents, who believe the government has failed to address their urgent needs during the crisis.
“We need real support, not tokens of goodwill. We’re not asking for luxury; we’re asking for survival,” Egedegbe stressed.
