The grim memories of the 2012 overflow are still fresh, but a fresh deluge is threatening to reenact them in the state. NWANOSIKE ONU reports
Barely three years ago, much of Anambra State was washed away, as were several other parts of the country. Farmlands and homes were swept off. So were barns and livestock, to say nothing of human lives lost. 2012 was the year of the floods. Sadly, residents are getting a hint of a repeat.
In such communities as Awka, the state capital, Onitsha, its commercial hub, Obosi, Oraukwu, Nise, Nibo and Abatete, there is a sense of the deluge all over again. The bridge along Oraukwu-Abatete Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state has collapsed. Ezigbo River has overflowed its banks. In Awka, Amikwo community has been flooded, while some of the residents have started moving out of the area for fear of drowning.
One of the residents of the area, Comrade Obi Ochije, who chairs 20 villages of Ezinano, was in tears when he spoke with The Nation, saying that a security man nearly drowned.
Most shops have been destroyed.
No fewer than 10 houses, farmlands and an electricity transformer have been submerged in Agu-Awka community.
Speaking with The Nation, the state chairman of Labour Party (LP), Chief Luke Ezeanokwasa from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area said the Mili Ezigbo Bridge between Abatete and Oraukwu has been submerged.
He said that the danger is that people who ply the route could be drowned anytime because the bridge is no longer visible.
Ezenokwasa said that the people of Anambra expect Governor Willie Obiano to use the N75 billion cash and in investments left by his predecessor Peter Obi to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens, but so far, that is not the case.
He said if the state government fails to give urgent attention to the Oraukwu-Abatete Bridge, the death toll in the area will be very alarming.
Another area of concern is a 1km road in Amawbia and Nise, behind the Governor’s Lodge, which has become impassable every time it rains.
The eight-hour rain in the state on Monday, which spilled to Tuesday, exposed all the leakages in the state, with most of the residents rendered homeless.
Ezeanokwasa said, “Fear has gripped the residents of Amikwo, in Awka South Local Government Area as gully erosion and flooding are threatening buildings.”
“Many no longer drive into their houses as roads have become impassable, even the popular Keke Napep and commercial motorcycle no longer ply the area and residents park outside to trek to their homes”
“Some of the streets mostly affected in Awka are Obi Ochije avenue, Rebecca Nwobu road, Evans Ebbe street and Annunciation road”
a boy wading through flood water at an erosion site in Amikwo
“Our party frowns that after increased illegal and multiple taxes orchestrated by agents masquerading as government revenue collectors in Amikwo and other parts of the state, the government in Anambra could not clean the perennial drainage channels, it is shame” Ezeanokwasa said.
For Comrade Obi Ochije, it was an appeal to Obiano to come to the aide of the residents as some of the people are finding solace in nearby villages.
“Building flyovers by Obiano is good in Awka, but it will be suicidal after building the flyovers there are no persons to ply on them when flood [would have swept off] everybody.”
“The governor is trying his best but he should not allow the people to all die through flood; the Obunagu Road links Amawbia Bypass which is an important road to the people.”
Governor Obiano defied the rain to visit one of the flooded areas in Ngozika Estate in Awka where the house belonging to the retired Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG), Ikemefuna Okoye was submerged.
Obiano sounded a note of warning that his administration would not hesitate to pull down structures erected on water channels in the state.
Again, he threatened to enforce the prosecution of anyone whose structure causes such blockages.
The governor, who was disturbed by the situation of resurgent flooding in the state, said that his administration would look into its causes.
“We have cautioned our people to observe basic rules and guidelines when embarking on the construction of their buildings.
“We can see that the rain are here and is causing havoc here and there. People should desist from dumping refuse and blocking drains because it contributes to what we are witnessing. Anyone caught in the act will contend with relevant laws and where found guilty will be punished.”
The governor expressed sympathy with the retired AIG, Ikemefuna Okoye whose house was among the ones submerged and instructed that the occupants be lodged in a hotel for few days, while remedial measures were made to check the flooding.
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