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A seven- man nominee for appointment as Commissioners of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, has been forwarded to the Delta State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The nominee’s names were contained in a letter to the house by the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and read during plenary by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

They include Chief Mike Ogbodu as Chairman, while Mr Fredrick Oduje Ulakpa, Mr Friday Edmund Siemode, Mr James Eruorhevwameme Umukoro, Mr Gregory Chukwuma Edeme, Light Oritseweyinmi Diden and Mrs Yvonne Ovuevuo Wagbatsoma as members.

The Governor stated that the nomination was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 198 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

He said he would greatly appreciate it if early action is taken to place the names of the nominees before the honorable House for consideration and confirmation to enable him effect the appointments as required by the constitution.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon Tim Owhefere moved for the letter to be accepted for further consideration, seconded by Hon Dennis Omovie and unimously supported.

The Speaker directed the nominees to submit 35 copies of their Curriculum vitea to the house and to appear for screening by 10 am on Wednesday.

Meanwhile as a matter of urgent public importance, Delta State House of Assembly today called on the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to direct relevant agencies to make necessary arrangements to cut down liabilities which would be occasioned by the imminent flood and to sensitise the people living in the flood prone areas of the state on the predicted imminent flooding.

Hon Samuel Mariere who moved the motion during plenary said the sensitization was in order to avert and cut down the catastrophe following the forecasted flood.

In his debate, Mariere who was seconded by Hon Rueben Izeze commended the governor for the proactive measure taken by the state Ministry of Environment to desilt and dredge drainages and waterways across the state.

He state categorically that in 2012 around semptember, a flood that was occasioned by the opening of dams in Cameroon brought so much hardship on Deltans. “Before the 3rd of October it took over, Ugbolu, Ndokwa, Bomadi, Ughelli and otger communities so much so that corpses were even floating out of Morgues.”

Mariere argued that Nigeria have been warned by the Cameroon government that they could no longer harbour the water in their dams hence they would soon open up their dams even as he stressed that experts had confirmed the rising level of water across the country.

He said the threat was imminent and real and stressed that the essence of the motion was to brace up to mitigate the effect. “The flood situation in Florida recorded limited casualty, because they were prepared. The essence of our being here is to ensure security of lives and property of Deltans and that is what we must do.”

In his debate, Hon Johnson Erijo, argued that even though the earlier speaker did not mention the Isoko debacle in the 2012 story, it was immense in Isoko.

He agreed that the essence of th motion was to forewarn the government and Deltans and to ensure that the state set up camps.

“We have witnessed what has happened in Benue. It is already in Kogi. This is a wake up call for us as a state. We must be up and doing to save our people from a reoccurrence.” Erijo argued.

Others who spoke including Honorables, Evance Ivwurie, Tonye Timi and Angela Nwaka, laid overemphasis on the import of the motion adding that the state governmwnt cannot feign ignorance on the implications of the issues which they described as critical.

They argued that floods were first hand harbingers of sorrow, pain and frustration as people are usuallu yanked away from their homes and environment which they were accustomed.

“Flood is an unavoidable phenomenon but the effect when prepared can be ameliorated. The need for us to push for jingles, adverts and other expedient orientation measures. Another most important move is to set up camps.” They added.

Following a unanimous voice vote, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori called on the state governor to direct all relevant ministries to do the needful.