Uwheru Community Rejects Relief Items, Boo Council Chairman

Residents of Uwheru in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, have rejected flood relief materials brought by the council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, during a visit to the community. The chairman’s advance team reportedly arrived with a small supply of aid, including a bag of garri, 25 bags of sachet water, and toilet rolls, which was met with anger and disappointment from the residents.

Egedegbe, a community representative, explained that the community, home to over 15,000 people, had expected more substantial relief, such as rice, beans, and cooking oil.

“Uwheru is one of the biggest kingdom with thirteen communities in Ughelli North, made up of over 15,000 people in population and we were happy when we heard that the state government is coming with relief materials to flood victims. Egedegbe said. “But we were shocked to see that when they came, they brought a bag of garri, 25 bags of sachet water and toilet roll (tissue paper) and when I saw the mood of the crowd that came, we have to reject the items because we cannot distribute a bag of garri to the affected communities.

“We are sure that the relief materials they brought were not from the government as they projected, no rice, beans groundnut oil, but a bag of garri and sachet water, it is unacceptable to us,” he added.

Mrs. Queen Evru, another resident, revealed that many of the victims were sleeping outside due to the flooding and felt the aid was insufficient. “We were hoping for real help, but we were given items we already have in surplus,” she said.

Some residents also accused the government of misusing funds meant for flood relief. A political leader, speaking anonymously, claimed the aid items were not from the government and that the materials brought were a result of misappropriated funds.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ughelli North Local Government, Mr. Efe Ekete, denied that the chairman was booed. He stated that while some people rejected the items, the event went smoothly and the chairman praised the community’s efforts.

A security official confirmed there was tension during the visit, with a brief scuffle breaking out, but no injuries were reported. The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of flood relief efforts in the area.