Residents across multiple communities in Imo State are tallying their losses after days of heavy rainfall and flooding, while the National Emergency Management Agency has begun rescue operations for those stranded.
Innocent Nweze, a senior rescue official at the NEMA office in Imo State, stated that since Sunday the agency has been relocating residents trapped in flooded areas to safer, higher ground.
Nweze noted that residents of Amakaohia and Akwakuma, along with other communities near Rochas Market, have been rescued.
“NEMA has rescued and responded to several communities and persons in villages around Rochas Market in Amakaohia and Akwakuma,” he said.
He called on residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations and avoid actions that could increase their vulnerability.
“We have increased the alertness and readiness of all relevant stakeholders in both Imo and Abia states for emergency response,” Nweze added.
He stated that the agency had also distributed relief materials to victims of a windstorm in Umuori and Ekemegbuoha communities in Owerri North Local Government Area.
“Already, we have provided blankets, mosquito nets, vegetable oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste to victims of windstorms in the Umuori and Ekemegbuoha communities in the Owerri North Local Government Area,” he said.
In the meantime, people living in Emeabiam, FUTO, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Umuguma, Ohaozara, Amakaohia, World Bank, Federal Housing, Works Layout, and New Owerri are still assessing the losses the flooding has brought them.
The flooding, which hit parts of Owerri and surrounding communities, came after several days of intense rainfall that left roads underwater, halted transportation, and compelled some residents to stay indoors.
Michael Okere, a resident of Umuguma who drives a commercial bus, stated that the flooding had greatly cut down the number of vehicles plying the affected routes, which caused transport fares to rise sharply.
“Since Thursday when the rains started, some of my fellow bus drivers have parked their vehicles for fear of mechanic visits, so we are few plying the roads now.
“On Monday, we charged N1,000 against the regular N500 fare, and the people complained. But since they had parked their vehicles, they had no option but to board our buses,” Okere said.
He mentioned that, after taking their situations into account, he ultimately charged certain passengers the standard fare.
“I felt like a schoolchild and so collected the normal fare from them since I’m also a father,” he added.
A civil servant, Mrs. Nnadi, stated that commuters were being compelled to devote a significant portion of their earnings to transportation so they wouldn’t miss work.
“I paid N1,500 from World Bank Junction to Umuguma Junction yesterday evening. Now the question is, how much do I earn that I pay that much?
“Just because I’m entrusted with the key to my boss’ office, does that mean I should go bankrupt to prove my dedication? I fear that I will skip work on Wednesday if the rain continues,” she said.
A secondary school student was also observed pleading with a commercial bus driver to take the old fare, explaining that it was the amount his parents had provided.
In Umuguma, a resident named Ezirim Ernest, who stated he had resided in the area for 15 years, expressed sorrow over how the flooding had affected the movement of people and vehicles.
Lagos orders residents to vacate flood-prone communities
Flood: Pupil missing as police rescue nine in Anambra
“Since Thursday, I have not left my house because the whole place is covered with water. Flood has taken over Umuguma,” he said.
Ernest wondered why the road that leads to the local government headquarters had stayed in such poor condition for years.
“We expected that with the loss of two lives on that road two years ago, the government would have expedited action on the completion of the road that connects the Federal and Imo Housing estates.
“The contractor who has been on that road for four months is doing nothing to remedy the situation. Umuguma is a business area that serves as the capital of Owerri West Local Government Area,” he said.
He called on the Imo State Government to step in and reassess the work the contractor is carrying out on the road.
It was gathered that sections of the busy Okigwe Road and Wethral Road were also flooded after the heavy downpour, with inadequate drainage making the flooding worse.
Attempts to get a response from the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, regarding the government’s plans to tackle the situation proved unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls.
