ADABA COMMUNITY IN UZO-UWANI, ENUGU STATE CRY FOR HELP
Shelter is one of the basic needs of man and absence of it amounts to a treat to his existence. This is now the case with residents of Adaba Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State where property and crops were destroyed recently by windstorm.
The disaster affected sixty-seven households, schools, health centre and cash cross worth thousands of naira but no life was lost. More than sixty persons were rendered homeless by the windstorm while many of the victims were taking refuge in their friends and neighbours’ houses.
When radio Nigeria visited the area it observed that some had started repairing their buildings while others were yet to be attended to including schools. Mr. John Udeze and Andrew Ekwenigwe who were victims of the storm narrate their experiences.
“It destroyed my house, trees and plantains, it didn’t kill anyone. The roof of my house was taken off by the wind, even my kitchen, poultry house, piggery house , were affected. I don’t know where to stay again, the property inside the house was automatically destroyed.”
Also, Mr. Francis Makor who had part of his building removed, noted that it had brought emotional and economic hardship on him.
“It has been a lot of disturbance to me, causing me sleepless nights, now we are homeless, some of us are living with some of my relations.”
A widow, Mrs. Martha Ochakwam and Mrs. Theresa Ezike who spoke in Igbo said that they lost all their belongings to the storm. The Assistant Headmaster of Community Primary School, Adaba Mrs. Grace Nzekwe and the Principal Atta Memorial High School, Adaba, Mr. James Onyishi as well as a student of the school, Master Abraham Maduagwu, lamented that the incident was a setback to academic activities in their schools.
“All the buildings especially this small one, it was damaged, the zinc blown off.”
“The students will now be relocated to different area which will not be conducive for them.”
“It is hindering our lessons.”
Recounting her ordeal, the Reverend Sister in charge of the congregation of sisters of immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ Adaba, the Reverend Sister Benitia Aguguo, described the damage as enormous.
“Infact, it is just because of God’s grace, we would have packed our things, since what we came here had been destroyed, because this is the only place we know we can stay to assist our people here. Their children have been passing out through our school and hospital, which is also a source of help for the people of this community.”
The President General Adaba Town Union, Chief Anthony Onuigbo joined the victims in appealing for a help. “Am appealing to the government to come and help us in rehabilitating the buildings. It rendered a lot of people homeless.”
Chief Onuigbo stated that he had reported the incident to relevant authorities and was awaiting their response.
OBIORA EZE