Emmanuel Oludare
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO has pledged to collaborate with the Rivers State Government to address the recurring issue of flooding in the state.
The newly installed President, Rtn Dr. Bieye Renner Briggs, made this commitment during his installation ceremony as the club’s 4th president in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Briggs, a public health physician and environmental advocate, stressed the importance of proactive measures to combat the devastating effects of flooding, particularly in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
He outlined the club’s primary focus for the 2024/2025 Rotary year, which is to develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for flood mitigation.
“Flooding has become a constant threat due to climate change, and we must take action,” Briggs said.
“Every year, we witness the loss of lives, properties, and livelihoods, yet it seems as though communities and the government are unprepared to effectively manage the situation.”
To tackle the issue, Dr. Briggs revealed plans for a multi-stakeholder conference aimed at formulating a comprehensive flood mitigation policy.
“We will bring all stakeholders together to brainstorm and create a workable policy that can be adopted by the Rivers State government to mitigate the impact of flooding,” he said.
Briggs further called on the government to show more political will in implementing environmental policies.
“In Nigeria, we have policies on paper, but the implementation is lacking. We are urging the Federal, State, and Local Governments to come together to ensure environmental sustainability,” he added.
As an environmental advocate, Briggs emphasized the club’s commitment to continuing its tree-planting campaign, which helps reduce greenhouse gases and fosters a cleaner environment.
The outgoing president, Rtn Dr. Anthony Ikpor, expressed confidence in Dr. Briggs’ ability to lead, noting that the club had established a solid foundation for his successor to build on.
“Dr. Briggs will undoubtedly take the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO to new heights, especially given his extensive experience in environmental advocacy,” Ikpor said.
Rtn Iniruo Wills, the President-Elect, lauded Dr. Briggs for his dedication to environmental issues, particularly his efforts in leading the ‘Stop the Soot’ campaign in Rivers State.
Wills emphasized that with Briggs at the helm, the club is poised to achieve even greater success in its environmental initiatives.
The installation ceremony also featured a lecture on the environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta, delivered by guest speaker Dr. Gaidom Ferdinand.
Additionally, the event saw the inauguration of the Club’s Board of Trustees, the induction of new members, and the presentation of awards to distinguished members of the club.
Among those honoured were the Charter President, Rtn Dr. Emem Okon, Past President Rtn Davis Okarevu, and President-Elect Rtn Iniruo Wills.
The high point of the event was the cutting of the ceremonial cake, attended by dignitaries including the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Bitebobo Nelson Amieye, and representatives of other Rotary clubs in Port Harcourt.
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO remains dedicated to fostering environmental sustainability and addressing the pressing challenges faced by communities in Rivers State and beyond.
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