ANGUISH, COMPLAINTS, HELPLESSNESS AS FLOOD RAVAGES IGBIARIAM IN ANAMBRA
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The people of Igbariam community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed grief about the gravity of the recent flood disaster ravaging the area, which they say has surpassed that of 2012.
A visit by Radio Nigeria to the agrarian community indicated that occupants of three villages had been rendered homeless while farm crops were all covered by the flood.
Many residents were seen evacuating their household effects to the upland while those whose houses had already been submerged stood helpless in front of their waterlogged houses.
One of the victims, Mr. Ikechukwu Oguguo, narrated that they were inside the building when the flood slowly covered the entire area, forcing them to scamper for safety and abandoning their property.
An aged man, Chief Felix Nnanna, observed that since he was born, the present flood disaster was the highest the community had ever experienced.
A former Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Enugu Zonal Station, Dr. Emeka Odikpo, told our correspondent that while portions of farmlands were affected in the 2012 and other previous flood incidents in the area, the present disaster had sacked residents of three villages from their ancestral homes.
The veteran broadcaster called on both Federal and State governments to come up with a holistic approach towards addressing the yearly occurrence instead of waiting to provide relief items which is never commensurate with the level of damage incurred by the people.
The President General of the community, Dr. Chris Offorkansi, who described the incident as a great disaster, said though no life had been lost, there was the urgent need for government to come to their aid, especially in the evacuation of the victims.
Three elders from the area, Chief Onwuzuluike Iliemena, Nze Egwuatu Ikwunne and Ozor Felix Nnanna, said the flood, which is first of its kind, destroyed farm produce including cassava, yam, rice, tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables.
The flood did not spare a pilgrim home, schools and prayer houses as explained by a Missionary priest, the Rev. Fr. Joseph Kanini, who expressed regret that his 80 hecters of cultivated farmland, including residential building, were all submerged and destroyed without any help in sight.
A stakeholder in Igbariam Community, Chief Ibobo Okalakwu, who alleged long neglect by government, especially during emergency situations, called on the people to be strong and observe personal hygiene, cautioning against drinking the contaminated flood water.
Two other stakeholders in Igbariam Community, Mr. Obi Nweke and Mr. Uchenna Ezinando, said though the situation had become a yearly occurrence, there was the need for the federal government to dredge the rivers in the area as the Anambra State government could not handle the situation alone.
Other respondents appealed to Anambra State Government to provide a Holding Camp for them in Igbariam as the one designated at Otuocha, the local government headquarters, was very far and would cost much to evacuate victims to the area.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
