Ikwuano Mayor Visits Flooded Nkalunta Community, Promises To Escalate To State

LG boss describes scene as footprint of disaster; leaders seek road, dredging of Akoo River and palliatives

IKWUANO — Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, has conducted on-the-spot assessment of flood disaster that submerged Nkalunta in Otu Uzo-Ibere Autonomous Community.

Speaking during the visit, Nwaubani said he saw footprint of disaster, with every resident affected either through farmland, crops or domestic animals.

“We have seen the footprints of disaster. People crying. Everybody in the community is a victim. Either your farmland, your coconuts or your domestic animals,” he said.

He recounted that sheep, goats and cows drowned, adding that he saw dead fish left at centre of road after being washed out from Akoo River.

“Fish at centre of road. That was trace, what evidence flood left behind. From Akoo River. Fish out of water is gone,” he said.

The Mayor said incident is beyond what local government can handle alone, adding that his administration rushed to get first-hand evidence to take to state government.

He said while in Abuja for conference, he reached out to relevant agencies including Ministry of Environment, State Emergency Management Agency and Ministry of Finance, disclosing that understanding was reached for them to seek approval for interventions by Monday.

He said his report after visit will reinforce earlier engagements with state.

Also speaking, President General of Ibere Clan Development Union Federated, Maxwell Otuonye, thanked Mayor for visit, noting that no vehicle had been able to enter or leave village due to flood.

He said evidence terminates every argument, calling for agencies concerned to mobilise quickly for palliatives and for proper infrastructure attention, especially construction of access road.

“There has to be a way agencies concerned have to mobilise, speed up operation so that this village will get necessary assistance as quickly as possible. They have no road,” Otuonye said.

On his part, NDC candidate for Ikwuano State Constituency, Dr. Kalu Chukwuemeka Israel, who is an indigene of the area, said flooding has been major nightmare in Nkalunta from his birth till now.

He said entire village was submerged few days ago, with crops, farmlands, farm animals and home appliances destroyed.

“Everybody in this village is a victim. Water invaded people’s homes,” he said.

He appealed to Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Otti to fix access road, noting survey has already been done, and to dredge Akoo River to address root cause of flooding.

Earlier some members of the community including Engr Jack Okwuonu, Arch Sylvester Onwumere, among others lamented the loss of farmlands, household items and called urgent intention from government to ameliorate their plights.

They thanked the Mayor and his team for the visit describing it as timely and appealed to him to use his good offices to draw government attention to the plight of the community.

The Mayor was accompanied on the visit by the Councillor representing Ibere Ward II and the chief whip of Ikwuano legislative Council, Hon. Sunday Okoro as well as his Chief of staff, Hon. Echefulam Eberechukwu Anthony.