Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, on Wednesday, approved the sum of N1 billion as emergency relief for flood victims in the state.

Mr Wike announced this in a statement issued by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He said the amount would enable the vulnerable families to cope with the devastating floods that had affected their homes and farmlands, thus forcing them to relocate to safer places.

The governor, who empathised with the flood victims, also set up a task force to coordinate the distribution of relief materials to the affected communities.

The six-man task force was headed by the permanent secretary, Special Services Bureau (SSB), George Nwaeke.

Other members included Inime Aguma (secretary), Hope Ikiriko, chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Vincent Job, chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Chukwuemeka Onowu, director of administration, Ministry of Special Duties.

All task force members had been directed to meet with the governor on Thursday.

Mr Wike, who also appointed 28,000 special assistants for all the political units in the state, said the appointments took immediate effect.

The governor had, on October 11, appointed 319 ward liaison officers and 40 local government area liaison officers. 

(NAN)