A member of the House of Representatives Rep. Kingsley Uju-Chima (APC-Imo) says no fewer than 80,000 people are so far affected by the flood ravaging his constituency in Imo.
In an interview with newsmen on Friday, Uju-Chima who represents Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru Federal Constituency of Imo, said that some infrastructure including roads had been washed away by the flood.
Uju-Chima who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement, underscored the need to declare a state of emergency on the ravaging flood.
He observed that the house would not hesitate to give accelerated consideration to executive communication for funding of such emergency.
“With all fairness, my place is almost in trouble now.
The greater percentage of two of the local government areas of my constituency, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta have been submerged by flood and several residents, settlements, homes, farms have been chased away by flood. The last time we had this type of flood should be in 2012.
“We never had it this bad where the flood has even cut off the road entering Rivers to Imo , precisely the Ibocha bridge which has been taken over by the flood.
“This afternoon, we just got an information that the water has crossed Abacheke road.
The whole of Epoma (Ogada) has been chased away, leaving several communities and settlements across the shoreline of Omachi river including Eziorsu, Orsuobodo, Nnebukwu, Oguta -Ameshi among others submerged by the flood,” he said.
Uju-Chima affirmed that the level of socio-economic damage caused by the flood was enormous to his constituents.
According to him, constituents are natively agrarians and the level of damage to them cannot be quantified financially.
“As I talk to you this afternoon, so many farms have been completely submerged.
“Considering the loss, the damage and effect both on the GDP of my people and above all the hardship that this will actually bring to the people, there is need for swift intervention.
“I am using this medium to call on the Federal Government, the state government to come to the rescue of my people to see how they can help them,” he said.
Uju-Chima said that “hands cannot remain folded while eyes watch people die of flood” recommending that more funds should be spent on flood victims just like victims of insecurity .
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to re-channel the flood into the Atlantic Ocean whenever the Dam would be opened by the neighbouring countries.
According to him, the moment we know we want to open the dam, we should not allow other people from other areas to be at the receiving end.
