WE ARE AFRAID OF IMPENDING FLOOD, WE HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM 2022 FLOOD — ABACHEKE COMMUNITY CRIES OUT

REPORTER: UGONNA AGU

The people of Abacheke in Ohaji Egbama Local Government Area of Imo State are still counting their losses from the 2022 flood incident that submerged the entire community, rendering them homeless and impoverished.

About 15 communities in the Local Government and some other communities in the state were affected by the flood, but Abacheke was said to be the worst hit.

While they count their losses, the relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have predicted that the 2023 flood could be similar if not worse than the previous years.

Also recently, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) alerted 314 Local Government Areas in 32 states and the FCT to brace for high risk flooding this year.

Imo State had its share of the flood, which affected many communities in 8 local government areas and recorded 3 deaths in Uruala, Ideato North L.G.A.

As the 2023 rains gain momentum, residents of Abacheke Community in Ohaji Egbema L.G.A. of Imo State, who said they were yet to recover from the losses incurred from last year’s incident, are calling on the government to come to their aid, to help them avert another disaster.

One of them, Mr. Francis Udokwu, recounted that the rains which started in September 2022 destroyed his house, poultry farm and cement shop, forcing his household to seek shelter in a primary school classroom.

He however, alleged that the relief items and funds the government sent to the over 200 victims of flood in Abacheke Community, were diverted by their community representatives.

“Everything the federal government sent to the flood victims, the people tha were not affected took it,” he alleged.

Another resident, Mr. Loveday Ohangu, narrated that the flood covered his entire house and he could not save his belongings, which forced him to live under a big canopy with his family for two months.

Mr. Ohangu, who expressed worry about the recent flood predictions, appealed for urgent government intervention as they might be forced to abandon their homes again if nothing was done to mitigate the impending disaster.

“Ogbujiagu River should also be dredged. We also need the government to assist us in feeding because we are really undergoing hardship,” Mr. Ohangu appealed.

In an interview, the Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Owerri Operational Office, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji, said the Federal Government was working tirelessly to ensure that the country would record less if not zero loss of lives and property from the 2023 rains.

“We have started implementing an early warning system in the communities: the dredging of Orahsi river.

“We have been appealing to those living at the river banks to vacate those areas to the IDP camp,” he said.

Mr. Nnaji called on the Imo State Government to ensure that the camp provided by the Presidential Committee for Flood Relief and Rehabilitation was made habitable for flood victims in the state.

Speaking on the causes of flood, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Environment, South East Zonal Office, Mr. Ubong Oboh, identified over flow of river banks, lack of drainage system, improper dumping of refuse, and building on waterways as some of the things that contributed to the disaster.

Mr. Oboh therefore proposed the construction of drains for free flow of water and provision of refuse dumping sites within the state to reduce the blocking of water channels with wastes.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU