Flooding: Ex-council chairman decries deaths, destruction in Anambra

Mr Arinzechukwu Awogu, immediate past  Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, says the area is  witnessing the worst flood disaster in recent times.

Awogu told newsmen on Sunday that flooding had claimed some  lives in the area, including those who drowned on Oct. 7 while fleeing.

He described the effect of the flooding  as higher than that of 2012.

The rights activist said that the drowning of tens of people fleeing Umunankwo area of Ogbaru due to flooding was a sad reminder of Aug. 3, 2005 when a wooden boat ferrying 150 people capsized killing no fewer than 135.

Awogu, the  Candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, said that the flooding could trigger famine if adequate steps were not taken. 

He said that completion of the Atani-Ogwuikpele Road and repair of the collapsed  section at Ofia-Umuoga Road would reduce marine accidents.

He described  Ogbaru people as highly productive, adding that the  area significantly contributed to the nation’s economy due huge deposit of oil and gas.

“It is a sad memory of Aug. 3, 2005 when 150 passengers on board a large wooden boat with farm produce capsized on the way to Onitsha from  Akili-Ogidi; 135 persons remain unaccounted for till date. 

“Lack of access roads have forced Ogbaru people to rely mostly on water transportation as the only means of evacuating their farm produce out of the hinterland.

“It is pathetic that we have  gone through the same harrowing experience again,17 years after,” he said.

Awogu  called for provision of basic infrastructure that would address the peculiarity of Ogbaru, a riverine council area with all its 16 communities on the bank of the River Niger.

He praised the state Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for commitment to building roads in Ogbaru but said that the area was also facing ecological challenges.

“The River Niger is eating up  Ogbaru land and space with massive water erosion.

“It is an existential threat to Ogbaru people; so, we are calling for immediate national intervention,” he said.

Awogu expressed optimism that the worst of the flooding had passed and that water would recede soon.

He urged governments to begin a  resettlement programme for displaced people.

Awogu said that farmlands and millions of fish in ponds were washed away by the flood, adding that Ogbaru  people needed inputs to start up again to avert famine.

According to him, water has maintained a particular level in the last 48 hours meaning that it is no longer increasing.

“We hope that water will start receding in about one week’s time.

“Government should activate post-flood rehabilitation for the people of Ogbaru and other affected areas.

“Many people lost their houses and their means of livelihood; they need support to enable them to get back to normal life.

“Our people need seedlings, cassava cuttings and  financial aid.

“They lost millions of grown fish to the ravaging flood; so, they will need support in the areas of fingerlings and rebuilding of their collapsed  ponds,” he added. (NAN)