Flood Sacks Families in Awka, Residents Beg Soludo for Help

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Flood occasioned by torrential rainfall last Monday night sacked over a dozen family from their residence in Ngozika Estate, Awka, the capital city of Anambra State.

Anambra State had initially been named as one of the states to suffer flooding this year, but specific local government areas have been identified to be prone to flood, and residents of those areas have been alerted to leave to places that are deemed safer, while IDP camps have been set up for the indigent among them.

Ngozika Estate is considered to be a highbrow residential area in Awka, and well away from local government areas that have been listed to be prone to flood, but last Monday, there was wailing among residents as flood water over ran many compounds in the state.

Most of the families sacked by the flood water 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 area of for the state privileged individuals.

A resident of the area, Mrs. Joy Udoka, told THISDAY that: “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 the 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 property 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 my children and I are staying, there are about five other families that are staying there.

“As I speak with you, it might rain again, and I am afraid for myself and my family. We are calling on Governor Soludo to come to our aid.”

Some gathered from some others affected that the flood is caused by an undeveloped plot in the area, which has a blocked drainage.

“The owner of the plot is said to be a widow who lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She had once been mandated by the Anambra State Government to develop the place so as to ease off flood water from the area, and she accepted, and after a year when nothing happened, the government threatened to revoke the land, but she ran to a bishop in Onitsha area and the bishop made a call to Soludo and she was left alone.

“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.”

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 has come their way.