The Port Harcourt Boat Club has issued an urgent appeal to Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, requesting his intervention to prevent the club’s facility from sinking due to continuous flooding from the Isaka River.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the club’s Vice Commodore, Professor Miebaka Tamunomiebi, emphasized the pressing need to desilt and reclaim sections of the club’s waterfront to mitigate the effects of the overflow.
Tamunomiebi explained that, while the club—established in 1947 by Port Harcourt’s early investment community—has made efforts to maintain and improve the facility, these initiatives are beyond the capacity of the club alone.
“Yes, we are working on upgrading this place, but it’s not something we can achieve independently,” he stated. “We’ve reached out to the government, relevant ministries, and commissioners, who have visited the site. We’ve repeatedly requested the government’s support to enhance the facility’s infrastructure and address the challenges posed by the river.”
The Vice Commodore highlighted the historical significance of the club, noting that since the departure of the initial investors, local members have managed its upkeep. “Those of us who have been part of this club for years have tried to maintain it. However, the structures need significant upgrades, including elevation and waterfront desilting, to improve the club’s condition,” he said.
He further urged the state government to prioritize the desilting and partial reclamation of the waterfront, warning that the facility’s structural stability is at increasing risk each day due to the river’s encroachment. “The waterfront is our immediate concern. We need the government’s assistance to preserve this facility,” Tamunomiebi concluded.
