A member representing Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru Federal Constituencies of Imo State at the House of Representatives, Kingsley Uju-Chima, yesterday, raised the alarm that infrastructure, including roads and homes, had been washed away by ravaging flood in the state. He also said over 80,000 persons were affected by the flood.
Uju- Chima, who doubles as Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, underscored the need to declare a state of emergency on the ravaging flood.
He, however, said the House would not hesitate to give accelerated consideration to executive communication for funding of such emergency.
He said: “With all fairness, my place is almost in trouble now. The greater percentage of two of the local councils in my constituency have been submerged by flood and several residents, settlements, homes and farmlands have been carried away by flood. The last time we had this type of flood was in 2012.
“We never had it this bad. The flood has even cut off the Ibocha Bridge, which links Rivers State to Imo.
In the same vein, a socio-cultural group, Enyaharo Isoko, has called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa- to urgently mobilise materials and personnel to aid victims of the flood disaster currently ravaging over 80 per cent of Isoko nation. The flood is caused by the opening of Lagdo Dam in Cameroun.
A statement by its President, Mr. Amos Iwary, expressed dismayed at the extensive displacement and destruction of lives and property the flood has wreaked on Isoko towns and villages.
He called for immediate action to rescue those still trapped in the flooded areas and begin assistance to those who managed to escape and are in internally displaced camps across Isoko and elsewhere.
“Enyaharo Isoko is saddened at the extent of displacement and destruction of the flood and urges immediate approach to assist victims. We are calling for a national emergency in Isoko land with regard to the intense flooding for effective rescue operations and humanitarian assistance to victims .
“Enyaharo Isoko also wishes to point out that almost 90 per cent of Isoko land has been overwhelmed by the unprecedented flood. This is worst than the 2012 flood that also caused great destruction of lives and property. While Enyaharo Isoko is doing all in its power to assist victims, there’s no gainsaying the fact that the unprecedented flood is far beyond the scope that mere individual or group assistance can remedy. Only the effective mobilisation of government resources and personnel can make meaning difference to those who are affected and have suffered huge losses.
