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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
No fewer than 60 houses have been destroyed and 300 people displaced by flood in Amaegbu, Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The disaster, which started on Tuesday this week, also destroyed other valuable property worth millions of naira.
Chief Michael Uzor, one of the victims, told Daily Sun, in the community, that the flood destroyed his farmlands, TV sets, vehicles, certificates, and other valuable property.
“Many houses were demolished in this axis and more houses are collapsing as a result of the flooding. In this particular place, Ndi Ibezeukwu, over 20 houses have fallen down since Tuesday this disaster started”, he said.
Uzor called on the government at all levels to come to the aid of the victims. He revealed that many residents of the community, including children, have been displaced by the disaster. Another victim, Mrs. Joy Chikezie, said the houses that were destroyed in her own axis in the community are uncountable.
“As you can see, many houses are down here. You can’t count the number of houses that have been destroyed by this disaster. We are homeless now, and our farmlands have been destroyed, too. The losses are enormous. We are sad, we are helpless, we need assistance”, she said.
Secretary of the Amaegbu community, Prince Ette, explained that over 50 houses in the community were destroyed by the disaster. He called for assistance for the victims of the flooding to alleviate their sufferings.
“We are devastated; we are in pain because the damage the flood caused us is much. Some people didn’t salvage any item from the disaster”, he lamented.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, has expressed sadness over the disaster and donated N5 millon to the victims. Odii made the donation during his visit to the community.
Represented by the state Chairman of the party, Chief Chukwuma Odii said the N5 million was to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims and assured that he will draw the attention of relevant agencies to the plights of the victims.
“We came to tell you that what happened to you, also, happened to us. We are all affected by this disaster. We have over 54 families affected by this disaster in this axis, and we know that there are other families in other places in the community also affected.
“Our Principal, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, has given us this token to give to you people, to show you that what happened to you, also happened to him. He will do more for you “, he told the victims.
On his part, the candidate of the party for Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo federal constituency, Chief Felix Igboke, described the incident as unfortunate but avoidable.
“What has happened in this community is unfortunate, but avoidable. We will have good drainage and environmental solutions to this disaster when we come into power”, he promised.
