Our lives are in danger’ – Owerri residents lament as flood takes over homes

Residents of Umuguma Federal Housing Estate in Owerri West LGA Imo State have cried out to the State Government and other relevant authorities as flood takes over their homes.

The residents are appealing for immediate remedial measures from the Government to contain the devastating effects of the flood which has submerged roads and residential houses within the estate.

They also urged authorities to carry out urgent road reconstruction and improved drainage to end the flood incident and business stagnation.

The flooding, according to residents, occurred following a two-day heavy rain which left several residential houses submerged, hampering vehicular movement and forcing business owners to lock up their shops.

A resident, Chiamaka Enyinnaya, who spoke with our correspondent, stated that the flood took over sections of the road, forcing commuters to wade through water while struggling to navigate the covered roads.

She said that flooding in the area has become a recurring decimal every rainy season and posed
a major challenge to people as businesses and other social activities are being disrupted daily.

Another resident, Anayo Ikechi, a shop owner, attributed the persistent flooding to deteriorating nature of road infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems, saying the situation has worsened over the years despite repeated appeals for intervention by relevant authorities.

“We are suffering seriously because of this flooding. Anytime it rains, movement becomes almost impossible.

“People cannot go out for work, children find it difficult to move around, and businesses are affected. We sincerely appeal to the Government to come to our aid,” he said.

A commercial motorcycle operator, Ebuka, while lamenting the condition of the roads, noted that the poor state of the road has increased difficulty in navigating through the area while exposing their motorcycles to frequent mechanical faults.

He explained that operating within the estate has become a nightmare which no one will like to experience.

“Many Okada riders avoid coming here because the roads are in very bad condition. Those of us who come take huge risks.

“Water enters our motorcycle exhaust pipes and damages our machines. That is why transportation fares are higher whenever it rains,” he said.

Another resident, Engr. Bethel, said the poor condition of the roads has persisted for nearly five years without any significant improvement.

According to him, several appeals have been made to relevant authorities, yet residents are still waiting for lasting solutions.

“I have lived here for almost five years, and the situation has remained the same. It is unfortunate that a Federal Housing Estate located less than thirty minutes drive from the Government House still experiences this level of infrastructural decay.

“We hope the government will give urgent attention to this community,” he said.

Our lives are in danger’ – Owerri residents lament as flood takes over homes