Riverine communities have called on the Federal Government and state governors not to forget them in their palliative plans because of the peculiarities of their terrain.

The call followed what they called “total abandonment” in previous government programmes. According to them, in the ongoing subsidy removal and proposed palliatives, not much attention has been given to Riverine people in Rivers State.

Speaking, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Director General of the Marine Crafts Builders Association, Clem Ifezue, and the Board of Trustees Chairman, Frank Orhenere, among others, noted that some riverine dwellers cannot access health facilities, quality foods due to hike in prices of goods and services occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

They appealed to the government that the ongoing palliative programmes should cover the Riverine people, adding that the association has capacity to produce boats and ambulances that could help to ameliorate the current challenges being faced by the people.

They said: “We have gone through the palliative plans of the government and have seen what the government has in stock. Government has made pronouncements that 3,000 buses should be assembled by local vehicle manufacturers.