Chinedum Treasure
Residents of Ngozika Estate, Awka, Anambra State have fled their homes following flood disasters that swept the area Monday night.
Anambra had initially been named as one of the states to suffer flooding this year, but specific local governments have been identified to be prone to flood.
Affected residents have been alerted to relocate to safer areas, while IDP camps were set up for the indigent among them.
Ngozika estate is considered to be a highbrow area residential area in Awka, the capital city, and well away from local government areas that have been listed to be prone to flood.
But on Monday, there was wailing among residents as flood water overran many compounds in the state.
Most of the sacked families are currently squatting with friends and family in safe area, while the rich among them, have relocated to hotels, just as the estate is known to be the choice residents of some of Anambra’s priviledged individuals.
Speaking with newsmen, a resident who preferred anonymity said, “We have moved out of our home into a hotel. Everything we own have been submerged by flood, and we are currently homeless. We are calling on Anambra State government to come to our aid because we are suffering.
“This morning (Tuesday), I just came to our house to inspect the place, after neighbours helped to evacuate me and the children last night, and you won’t believe what I saw. Our whole properties have been damaged by water, and many of them missing.
“I currently do not know where to start from. We are not the only ones affected, in the hotel where me and my children are staying, there are about five other families that are staying there.
“As I speak with you, it is planning to rain again, and I am very afraid for myself and my family. We are calling on Governor Soludo to come to our aide.”
Another victim attributed the flood menace to undeveloped plot in the area, which has a blocked drainage.
“The owner of the plot is a widow who lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She had once been mandated by the government to develop the place so as to ease off flood water from the area, and she accepted.
“After a year when nothing happened, government threatened to revoke the land, but she ran to a Bishop in Onitsha who called the governor and she was allowed.
“Now, that piece of land is becoming a threat to residents of this area, and we are calling on governor Soludo to do what is right to save his subjects,” he decried.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that residents have made phone calls to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), but no response or help have come their way.
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