Flood: 54 Houses Collapse, Farmlands, Crops Submerged in Ebonyi Community

By Uchenna Okah, Abakaliki

No fewer than 54 houses belonging to peasant farmers in Amaegbu community, Akaeze, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have collapsed following a devastating flood that also submerged farmlands, crops and other properties.

The destruction, which has reportedly displaced several members of the community, is estimated by residents to have resulted in the loss of properties worth billions of naira.

The Nations News gathered that the flood affected about 54 families, leaving many residents without shelter and destroying crops and other means of livelihood.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, who visited the affected community, donated N5 million to the victims as immediate assistance.

Odii, who spoke through the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Chukwuma Igwe, urged the beneficiaries to use the financial assistance judiciously to cushion the impact of the disaster on their families.

Expressing concern over the situation, Odii said the flood had caused extensive damage to homes, farmlands, crops and personal belongings in the community.

He promised to engage relevant agencies of the state and Federal Governments on the situation, with a view to securing further assistance for the affected residents.

“I am not happy with the development. I have been hearing about it. We are here to console you and show you that we are human beings.

“By the grace of God, when we are in government by next year, we will do more. We are going to call on government after our assistance.

“When we assume office, we are going to find a permanent solution to the situation. We will reach out to the state and Federal Governments concerning this matter,” he said.

One of the victims, 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.

The PDP Chairman in Ivo, Dike Johnson Igoke, appealed to the affected residents to remain calm, assuring them that the party would continue to support efforts to provide relief to the victims.

Also speaking, the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Mr Felix Igboke, said the party visited the community to sympathise with the victims and provide immediate succour.

“What happened is quite avoidable. Government intervention will come. When we come into office, we will take care of the situation permanently,” Igboke said.

The affected residents, however, appealed to the Ebonyi State Government and relevant emergency management agencies to urgently intervene, stressing that many families had been left vulnerable by the disaster.