Anambra residents sacked by flood lament neglect

More than five thousands victims of the flood disaster that ravaged over ten out of 21 local government areas of Anambra state have raised the alarm over lack of drugs, food and bedding materials.

The victims, who are across various internally displaced persons ((IDP) camps set up by the state government, lament concern for their safety.

Correspondent visiting the Rev. Fr. Joseph Memorial High School, Umueri, Umuoba Anam and Umueze Anam camps, all in Anambra’ East and those of Anambra’ West local government areas of the state observed absence of officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Governor Charles Soludo visited the camp two weeks and since then officials have stayed away.

The victims sleep in the open place, on top of bridges and middle of the roads

In Anambra’ East and West, majority of the victims who converged on Umueze Anam Bridge and Otuocha Daily Market bridge road have been sleeping in open space for over two weeks due to absence of shelter.

At Umueze Anam bridge, residents built cubicles and makeshift beds where nursing mothers and old people pass the night.

The flood has forced traders of Otuocha Daily market to do their business along the Otuocha-Awkuzu road.

In an interview, a market woman, Mrs Nkiruka Kwalo, said, “We are not happy at all because those relief materials are being diverted and our people are dying of hunger; we also need is money to go back to farm when the flood receedes.”

“Most of us sleep on the top of this bridge and so much mosquitoes and our children are exposed to all types of illness and nobody is coming to our aid,” she said.

Also, at Unity Hall Umuoba Anam, community leaders were seen battling to control little children struggling for sachets of noodles along with nursing mothers even as they complained bitterly about hunger and shelter.

President General of Umuoba Anam, Mr Omenwa Victor, told newsmen that out of 1,200 displaced persons in the camp, only 37 matrasses were provided for them.

They decried the situation where the rest sleep on the floor.

According to him, “We are managing the much we could do but the number is to much and we only have thirty seven matrass for 1,200 persons so the rest sleep on the floor. The governor visited us about a week ago and they promised to bring more as well as food and we are still waiting for them. We need food for the children and we thank those who have been coming to help us,” he added.

Buildings worth several billions of naira were submerged in the flood disaster, while about 25 persons died from the flood which wreaked many homes, businesses, churches and schools.

Several schools have been shut down by the state government.

The federal government says it is still understudying the extent of effect of the flood disaster across states.

But Soludo has challenged the federal government and lawmakers to treat the situation with expediency.

When he featured on a Channels Television programme, the governor said the country must hold a national conversation about flooding to prevent a recurrence.

“We can no longer deal with perennial flooding as an emergency. We knew it would happen. We know the next one will come. A year or two from now another massive one will come and the country must begin to prepare and ask what if it happens again, what would be our response. And that conversation must become a national conversation in the run-up to next year’s election. I think the National Assembly, the presidency must give a more forceful response, especially in the next two to three weeks when the flooding recedes,” he stated.

(Daily Trust)