From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
The Member Representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, has lamented the devastating effects of the flood that occurred in Akaeze community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, which destroyed property worth billion of naira, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and crops farmlands washed away.
Nkama, who spoke to journalists on Friday, during a visit to the area, to sympathize the victim and assess the degree of losses incured by the people, stressed that the flood had caused extensive damage to homes, farmlands, crops and personal belongings in the community.
He revealed that he had already engaged relevant agencies of the state and Federal Governments, like SEMA and NEMA on the situation, with a view to providing the needed assistance for the affected residents to cushion the negative effects of flood.
Kama disclosed that he provided five hundred cartons of noodles and four million naira (#4,000,000) as an immediate measure to ameliorate their suffering.
He assured the victim of the flood disaster would receive the required support from government.
”I came to see the devastating effect of the flood that affected my people, the magnitude of the damage and how we can help to salvage the situation. It’s terrible. I’ve not seen a thing like this before.Families displaced, houses destroyed, properties worth billions of naira lost, it’s just unimaginable what has happened to this community.
”Immediately this happened we wrote to NEMA, I spoke with the DG myself and then we had a conversation and so they are doing a whole lot of stuff in Abuja there and my Governor is doing a whole lot also to see how he can help this community recover from this great tragedy. While I was coming today, I came with about 500 cartons of noodles and I also give them a token of about 4million as support. My Commissioner also supported with an additional N4m”.
Some of the victims who spoke to our Reporter lamented the degree of damage and losses incured and appealed to government and other relevant agencies for support to help alleviate their suffering.
Mrs Regina ogudu, a widow, whose only son was killed in Akaeze/Ishiagu crises, said her house was totally destroyed by the flood and had no place to sleep again.
Another victim, Mr Ireme Abia, spoke emotionally about the extent of the destruction, saying the flood swept away his farm crops and destroyed properties belonging to his family, leaving him at the mercy of relations.
“It was like a dream as I watched my years of labour as a farmer go to waste. I can’t even wish my enemy this kind of evil. We have been experiencing flooding but this week’s rain will never be forgotten because of the level of devastation that occurred”.
kama was accompanied to the visit by Ivo Local Government Chairmen, Hon. Michael Anyim kalu, Akaeze Development Center Coordinator, Hon Chinasa Okorie, the State Commissioner for Infrastructure for concession, Engr Obasi Abara, among others.