BREAKING: Abia community counts losses as flood displaces hundreds, washes away farmlands (Photos)

The people of the Ugwueke community of Bende local government area of Abia state have been rendered homeless and their farmlands washed away following a heavy downpour on the 28th of August and 11th of September, 2019.

ABN TV also gathered that properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

Emenike Chibueze

One of the victims who gave his name as Emenike Chibueze said, “I was inside my house when the flood came, I tried to stretch out my leg, all I saw was water everywhere, and I came out and called everyone that water has come. All the properties I have here have been carried away by water. All I want the government to do for me now is to help so that I can feed, all I have has been taken away by the flood”, Emenike said.

Uzoma Nkwe

Uzoma Nkwe, an Indigene also related her experience. “Two weeks ago, the flood came here with heavy flow and it happened in the night, the latest happened two days ago and no one was able to save his or her properties. The level this water got to was what I haven’t seen before. The water chased everyone away from his or her house”.

Responding to the question on what kind of assistance she needs now, Uzoma said: “Anything the government knows they can do to stop the flood from chasing us out again. As u can see us now, we don’t have a house to sleep in again, we are just squatting around”.

Moses Okorie, a farmer also gave his own account of the incident: “Last week we experienced a lot of floods, and I stored a lot of garri here. The flood came around 1 am last time, our neighbors beckoned on us and we ran out of the house. My kids and my wife are in the hospital as a result of the flood incidence last week, I took them to Igbere. Two days ago, the flood came in with speed, the whole house was flooded up, and we ran out of the house. The government should come to my help, Moses pleaded”.

Ihunkor Nduko Okorie who believed that the flood has a spiritual undertone said: “my father and grandfather lived here. We experienced this in 1976, we prayed and the flood left, it still happened 1985 and we prayed and it left but this present one in 2019, it came twice, we did all we could it refused. This present one that came on the 28th of August 2019 chased all of us out of our houses before this present one that came two days ago. Please, the government should come to our rescue“.

HRH Eze Iheanyin Chukwu O

HRH Eze Iheanyin Chukwu O., Isimba II, Amaezeka trans community said: “This one is the worst. We want the state and the federal government to help. Hon. Chijioke has tried a lot for us, but this is beyond one person’s contribution, we need government assistance, both state and federal government.

Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, a member representing Bende north state constituency of Abia state, who was at the scene of the flood disaster, also spoke to ABN TV.

Hon. Chijioke Chukwu

“I have done my best, as a person and also coming from this village, and representing them in the state constituency. Unlike the first flood that over 500 persons were displaced, this one affected a greater number of people, because four or five persons were affected and we have over two thousand persons displaced. I have been able to send foodstuff and few beddings to make sure that people who are displaced at least have a place to put their heads. This is a Methodist church, we have over 500 people that are camped here. We have people that are camped at the central school Ugwueke, we have people at the community secondary school, Amaze. From the level of what I saw, even if I put my one year salary here, it will not be enough. Over 80 houses were submerged and one person lost his life. I am calling on both the state and the federal government to intervene. I am going to follow it up in Abuja, some of them here has fish ponds, and most of them have lost their source of the lively hood along the waterways. Their rice farm has been washed away. In addition, they need medical intervention because the epidemic can break out. Children have been displaced”, Hon. Chijioke said.

When asked if the state government has done anything to intervene, Hon. Chijioke affirmed that “for now, the state government has not done anything but am sure with their state representative, Sunny Jackson, he will take the report back to the secretary to the state government who is in charge and I am sure, the governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who is a very compassionate person, intervenes immediately if such is brought to his notice”, Hon Chijioke added.

Hon. Emmanuel Trumps Eze, a representative of Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Federal house of a representative member, representing Bende federal constituency was also there to see for himself.

He said: “when this incidence occurred, honorable Benjamin Kalu was informed. We have gone round and saw the level of devastation and it is monumental. We must synergize with his and the donor agencies and these pictorial we have taken will be sent to him to also further strengthen his arms in his discussion with these donor agencies to see how we can lift the people from where they are. We are appealing to the people not to give up because help is on the way. Benjamin Kalu, for those who know him, is a man that is full of character and passion for his people”, Eze said.

DISCLAIMER:Opinion articles are solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers of ABN TV

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