The people of Umuojisi Autonomous community are currently in sad mood following a terrible flood disaster threatening lives, homes, roads and plants in the area.
The disaster which is said to have emanated from the blockage of water ways caused by the construction company working on Okwelle- Isekenesi
– Ntueke Road has washed away roads threatening living houses and plants for over a month.
Recounting the People’s ordeals in a written address signed by the president general , Youth leader and woman leader of Umuojisi Autonomous community, Comrade Chukwuma Mmadumere , Chief Emeka Nelson and Mrs Elizabeth Eze, the community said the people of the community can not go to market nor their children go to schools again due the gully caused by the flood.
The community maintained that the consequences were devastating as roads, drainages and adjoining culverts constructed through years of community effort and financial contributions had all been damaged and access routes had become impossible to use while homes and property worth millions of naira had been exposed to destruction.
The address states,’ our concern is particularly connected to the manner in which floodwaters are presently being channeled during the ongoing construction of the Okwrlle- Isiekenesi- Ntueke Road being handled by Leo 9 Construction Company. We alleged that volumes of water are being directed towards residential areas instead of being properly channelled away from the community thereby creating unprecedented flooding and erosion in areas that were previously relatively safe.
It further states ,’Gentlemen, the community did not rush to the media without first attempting to resolve the matter. Our leadership made several efforts to engage Leo9 Construction Company, to draw attention to the danger and seek an immediate solution .Unfortunately, we alleged that scheduled engagements were repeatedly avoided or failed to produce any meaningful resolution, leaving the community increasingly helpless as the situation deteriorates.
Finally, the community called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to come to their aide by directing that the flood water was properly rechannelled from the community while they expressed happiness of the construction of the road .
Reacting the Site Engineer of Leo9, Engr. Victor Daniel Akpan expressed sad over the disaster admitting that the channels were blocked to enable the company commence preliminary work but was overwhelmed. He however promised the company would do remedial work to alleviate the disaster even as he disclosed the company would commence work on road fully when dry season sets in .
