NDC Candidate for Ikwuano, Dr. Israel, Ibere Clan PG Visit Flood-Ravaged Nkalunta, Demand Urgent Intervention

Community leaders lament total submergence; Ikwuano Mayor says disaster beyond council, promises to escalate to state

IKWUANO — The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC candidate for Ikwuano State Constituency, Dr. Kalu Chukwuemeka Israel, alongside President General of Ibere Clan Development Union Federated, Maxwell Otuonye, has visited Nkalunta in Otu Uzo-Ibere Autonomous Community for on-the-spot assessment of flood that submerged the community.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Emeka Israel, an indigene of the area, said flooding has been a major nightmare in Nkalunta from his birth till now.

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

“The entire village got flooded. People lost their means of livelihood. Crops died, farmlands were destroyed, farm animals were destroyed. Water invaded people’s homes,” he said.

He appealed to Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Otti to commence work on access road which he said has already been surveyed, and to dredge Akoo River to tackle root cause.

On his part, Otuonye thanked Ikwuano Mayor for joining assessment, noting that no vehicle had entered or left village for days.

He said their vehicles were only two to access community, adding that evidence terminates every argument.

“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. That is on palliative level. Then proper infrastructure attention has to be paid. They have no road,” Otuonye said.

Responding, Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, who also visited community, described what he saw as footprint of disaster.

“We have seen footprints of disaster. People crying. As a matter of fact, everybody in the community is a victim. Either your farmland, your coconuts or your domestic animals,” Nwaubani said.

He said goats, sheep, kids and cows drowned, adding that he saw abnormal sight of dead fish at centre of road washed out from Akoo River.

The Mayor said flood is beyond what local government can handle, disclosing that he had reached out to relevant agencies including Ministry of Environment, Emergency Management Agency and Ministry of Finance while in Abuja for conference, with understanding that they will seek approval for interventions by Monday.

He said his council will compile report of what was seen and forward to state government for action.

Dr Israel was accompanied on the visit by the Ikwuano LGA party secretary of NDC, Hon. Izuchukwu Nduka and was received by a community leader, Engr. Jack Ogumka Okwuonu.