sacks families, destroys property worth millions of Naira

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Property worth millions of Naira have been destroyed at Mbonu Ojike Street, Owerri, as a huge flood occasioned by several days of torrential rain in the capital city, submerged houses.

Narrating their sordid experience at the scene of the incident, Chairman of the neighbourhood association, Mrs. Christy Morah, lamented that most families were still trapped in their respective homes.

“The rampaging flood has destroyed properties worth millions of Naira.  Our houses have been submerged by flood occasioned by days of torrential rain in and around Owerri,” Mrs. Morah said.

According to the neighbourhood association Chairman, who is also a staff of Federal Government Girls College, FGGC, Owerri, about 10 staff quarters are  under water as at the time of the interview.

“Some of the affected buildings are designated staff quarters of Federal Government Girls College and Imo State University, IMSU. Parts of IMSU Primary School is also submerged in the flood,” she said.

She said they had previously hired earth moving machines to help make the place accessible, adding that many a time, they stay in houses for days to allow the flood recede before coming out.

“We have actually been experiencing this sad situation for many years but it took a more dangerous dimension in the past two years.
“The makeshift wooden bridge constructed by the IMSU Primary School is also submerged. School is also submerged. If the school was in session, it would have been terrible for the pupils,” Mrs. Morah lamented.

She expressed fears that reptiles, apparently sacked by the surging flood, might ultimately creep into their living homes.
She recalled that when the road was awarded to a contracting firm, residents of the quarters heaved a sigh of relief, “but we do no know what happened and the contractor packed his materials and left the site.”

Mrs. Morah further explained that, “flood from Mbari Street, Ikenegbu, Works Layout and Orji community, flows to this area,” pointing out that residents of these quarters have lost personal  effects and very important documents have either been lost or destroyed by the rampaging flood.
Efforts made to reach the Commissioner for Works, Ichie Best Mbanaso, on his mobile line failed as his telephone was switched off.