•3 drown in Delta, Ughelli-Asaba Road cut off
•Food scarcity may hit 20 states -Minister
From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt, FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa and PETRUS OBI, Enugu
The death toll from the devastating flood that sacked several communities across the country has continued to rise as three persons were drowned in Isoko area of Delta State while rescuing victims from the affected areas. Also, residents of Omoku community in Rivers State are living in fear of attack by snakes as seven people are already hospitalised at the Omoku General Hospital, as a result of snake bites.
All these are an aftermath of the flood tragedy which, according to the Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mallafia, may cause food scarcity in 20 states. Daily Sun gathered yesterday, that some of residents of Omoku and the neighbouring towns were not only being hunted by flood, but snakes and other reptiles which were washed ashore. Over 200,000 residents were said to have fled the community.
The flood came when the Orashi River overflowed its bank and entered Omoku city, covering Obohia Street, Commissioner Road, Akorita Street, Dan Street, among others. The fleeing residents complained that the water, suddenly swooped on their homes, destroying property and other means of livelihood.
The residents are therefore, calling on the Federal and State governments to come to their aid by evacuating the people and providing food and temporary accommodation for the displaced persons. In Delta State, communities submerged by the flood which has also cut off Ugheli-Asaba Road include: Ovrode, Ofagbe, Okpe-Isoko, Lagos Iyede, Igeh, Ikpede, Onogboko, Itebioge, Exiro, Iyede-Ame, Azagba, Otoka-Ekegbresi, Egbeme, Warri-Irri, Iwrie-Ogbokor, Ekpe, Asafo, Ivrogbo and Ashaka comprising Isoko North and South as well as Ndokwa East Local Government Areas.
Motorists plying the Ughelli-Asaba express RRoad have diverted to other routes following the overflow of flood water around Osisa, extending to Ashaka and Aboh in Ndokwa East. Transport fares by road and water have been hiked by 500 percent in some areas. However, Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay along with other members of the Isoko political class, have mobilised over 36 speed and engine boats to help in the rescue of people still trapped in riverine areas. Clothes, foodstuff and other medicaments were also provided by the group. Explaining the situation to newsmen, Commissioner for Land, Surveys and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife said political office holders from Isoko North and South Local Government Areas, led by the SSG were deeply touched by the losses caused by the flood. Hepromised to pool resources to provide palliatives to the victims. During a visit to Bayelsa State, yesterday, Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, raised fears of food scarcity in 20 states owing to the disorder caused by flood, saying, the situation calls for national emergency.
Mailafia who doubles the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster Areas stated this after visiting President Goodluck Jonathan Local Government Area, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson local government area and other parts of the state ravaged by flood. Mailafia who was accompanied by her colleagues, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and Minister of State for Works and Infrastructures, Bashir Yuguda predicted that the flood could lead to food scarcity in affected states.
Areas badly affected include Odi, Agbere, a section of Kaiama, Sagbama town, Boluorua, Governor Seriake Dickson’s village, Toru-Orua, Ekeremor area, road leading to Otuoke, countryhome of President Goodluck Jonathan, Biseni, Koroama, Igbogene, all in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. While lamenting that most people did not heed the warning of the imminent flood, she said that it was good that no death has been recorded so far in the state. Mailafia, who said her committee had been going round the country since the flooding started, noted that government would come up with programmes to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
With over 25,000 persons already displaced in both Kogi and Enugu border communities, the flood has continued to threaten more communities in the two states. The flood has submerged houses, farmlands and major roads in Echenwo, Odoeke and Obala in Ibaji LGA of Kogi States as well as in Igga and Ojjor in Uzo-uwani, Enugu State. Chairman of Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, Hon. Cornel Onwubuya who visited the three camps where victims mostly from Kogi State are taking refuge yesterday, donated relief materials worth over N5 million to the victims.
Onwubuya had prior to the donation, visited the border communities last month to assess the situation. During the visit, he expressed concern over the large number of Ibaji people seeking refuge in their area.
The council chairman and a leader of Igga community, Chief Maximus Ukwuta who led the team that visited the area, urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relief agencies in the country to quickly come to the aid of the refugees. Speaking during the presentation of materials which included over 100 bags of rice and beans, toilet roll, antiseptics, tomatoes, grandnut oil, among others, Onwubuya said that government shared in the grief of the refugees. He said that his council and Enugu State government were aware of their plight and urged them not to entertain any fear.
He assured them that government would continue to assist them and provide security to them until they leave the camps. The council boss stated that the materials were presented to them to alleviate their sufferings and called for the intervention of the Federal Government, insisting that the burden would be too much for the council to bear. Leaders of the different refugee camps had while receiving the items, showered encomiums on Onwubuya for his swift intervention and wished him well in his endeavours.
It could be recalled that people of Ekanyi, Obale and Affa communities in Ibaji council area of Kogi crossed over to Enugu boundary community of Ogrugu, last weekend using wooden canoes after their homes were submerged by flood. Some other natives also found their way to Idah in Kogi State where they are now seeking refuge.
Since the Fg have failed us in this matter,I think the UN,AU and ECOWAS should come to our aid else,the whole country will dissolve into solution.
This is tragedy as my own village Ashaka was consumed by water, Baba himself sympathies with all those who lost their love ones.
it is obivious that dis is d sign of End Time. God save ur children
This is the first time in history flood of this na invaded too many areas.Could it be that the ghost of those killed by boko haram is haunting nigeria?if not,how come this flood
Heavenly Father, we your children are crying for your divine mercy, pls help us to no You more better and always cover us with the Blood of your son Jesus.
Wat is happening in dis world, but i c dey sign of End time my people.
This is a sign and it has a lot of meaning. If one is very care will noticed the areas affected by the flood are the Agricultural areas of the nation. Christians should pray against forth coming FOOD SCARCITY by next coming year while the BOKO group should expect the wrath of God.
This flooding in some part of the nation is as a result of corruption in the entire system which has angered our ancestors.The gods of our land are not happy and this might just be the begining.Our leaders and those in power must stop corruption otherwise the next calamity wuld directly befall them and their families.
We sympertise with the affected communities and call on the federal governmentsur to find a quick solution this issue becuase it is so disheartening. God will console those affected in a greater measure in Jesus Mighty name -Amen
I share with your views Bond Boy because Nigeria is a place where innocent peoples” blood are shed gruesomely on daily basis and if nothing is done to appease them it may lead to serious calamities and catastrophic floods we are witnessing in some States now. May God have mercy on Nigeria.
It is better seen than to hear or look at the tv. Nigeria is in big trouble, the only solution now is for the whole country to repent and pray very hard. I passed some areas, it was very hurrible.
This is d sign 4 d coming of d Lord Jesus Christ we all should be ready
Sign of d coming of Christ Jesus we should be ready
The goverment of nigeria has to intervaine before the entire nigeria will be gone. But the greedness of our leaders is indeed good.
Dis kind flood 4 NAIJA ! E dey 1da me o… Weda ocean don ful pas beneath earth. God will help us ANYWAY.
I HOPE NOW THAT THE FLOOD HAS EXTENDED TO THE PRESIDENT’S HOME-TOWN, FG WILL SOON DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
May God save his people!
this is were we nid God first, follow by our president, if not………
As God has promised that he will never destroy the world with flood again, my prayer is that he should have mercy and reverse this situation throug Jesus I pray
In God I put my trust and hope for tomorrw cos we don’t knw what it will bring again . My broda over there pls draw nearer to Him cos he will always there to come close to us
If not that god promise not to destroy the world with water we would have say the world have come to an end.but the question now is what is happening
My friend Amaka(an orphan) village in Ogbaru LGA Anambra State was totally wipe out by the flood.
She had been crying and thinking all day over the fate of their family house.I feel for her
This is a great lesson we need to learn,The wrath of God is visiting this great Country,So many innocent souls blood is crying to God,and God is not happy,This kind of flood has never been recorded in the history of this great Nation Nigeria,We have bad and self centered leaders who does not care for the common man,Corruption has eaten deep down into the fabric of this nation,Many people a greater percentage of the masses are suffering,Most girls are now prostituting to make ends meet,while our able bodied youth are either Kidnapping,robbing,or killing to earn a living.The earlier we seek the face of God the better for us
The Government is not spending money on the areas they are supposed to,Most of all this rivers ought to have been dredged since over 40 yrs ago inspite of the warnings they feel less concerned,until the deed is done which has now turn to a natural disaster
flood has invade asaba especialy ugbolu nd F.M.C at asaba and also get 2 anawi campus.dis is tragedy,many houses has bin invade.government should do somtin abt dis.
Life is good. May everyone whom has been affected by the flood take heart and make a change in every aspect of life. God knows that this will happen this period in these areas. I wish to assure everyone that God who allowed the whole earth flooded in the days of Noah placed the rainbow in the sky so that such devastation will no longer come upon his earth. Three weeks before the flood reached our clan – Ogba in ONELGA Rivers State; my affianced and I saw the rainbow so clear in the sky; we could only talk about its Biblical facts and I did remind her that my grand mother was faithful before God, thence she named me Noah. God is with us, He will not overlook us all. May his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
O dis condition of flood arund us is wot i cnt tel wat d cause, dis flood particularly at omoku nd edu is what a sorry 2 pple, properities nd others, one tin i do kn is dat dis floodin wil result 2 huger, dare wil b death, suffring o wat a pety 2 hv 4 pple, no more goin 2 farm, no food, no hus. federal government come oooo nd see wat ur childern r facing . if dis is d end of d world wic God himself hv said he wil nt end dis world wit water, i hv a questn 4 God. or dis a warning 2 d sins of d world.
b carefull
We are about to lose a town called omoku. Pls pls (Fg) should try and do sumthing
wow! it is a very sorry situation, for this to happen in Nigeria whose leaders almost do not care for its people. Could this be for the numerious evil in this country, what is wrong with our nation? May God help us all