Residents of Onu Ebonyi, Inyimagu Izzi Unuphu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have appealed to the state government and relevant agencies to take urgent action to prevent flooding as rainfall intensifies in the state.
According to Leadership, the village head of the community, Chief Christopher Esha, recounted the devastating impact of past floods, stating that the area is frequently submerged, leading to the destruction of properties, household items, and farm produce. He attributed the flooding to the overflow of the nearby Ebonyi River and urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to dredge the riverbank to mitigate the recurring disaster.
A resident, Mr. Sunday Ofoke, expressed disappointment over the federal government’s previous dredging of the Iyi Udele River Bank, which was meant to address the flooding but proved ineffective. He alleged that the contractors deviated from the natural water channel, shortening the route to the Ebonyi River despite residents’ objections. According to Ofoke, the poorly executed project continues to endanger the community.
“We have lost lives in the devastating flooding that occurs within the area, including little children. There has been persistent building collapse and properties worth billions of naira destroyed. We are appealing for emergency government intervention to liberate the people from the sad situation,” Ofoke said.
Other residents, Mr. Maduabuchi Ofoke and Elder Innocent Nwede, noted that despite the construction of a canal by the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, many areas remain inaccessible during the rainy season due to persistent flooding.
“We want to appeal to the state governor to use his good office to ask the contractors to revisit the area and find a lasting solution to the flood problem of the area. Many residents and families are now refugees as they have relocated to other places. Those who are yet to relocate are now living in fear following the prediction of heavy flooding in some parts of the state,” they said.
The call for intervention comes as the federal government recently warned that Ebonyi State is among 11 states at high risk of flooding this year, with heavy rainfall predicted in the affected regions.
