Imo flood leaves residents stranded, transport costs rise

Residents from various communities in Imo State are feeling the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has started rescue operations to help those trapped.

Innocent Nweze, a senior official at NEMA in Imo State, shared that the agency began moving people from flooded areas to safer places on Sunday.

Nweze mentioned that they have rescued residents from Amakaohia and Akwakuma, as well as other areas around Rochas Market.

"NEMA has rescued and responded to several communities and persons in villages around Rochas Market in Amakaohia and Akwakuma," he said.

He advised those living in flood-prone areas to move to safer locations and to avoid actions that could make them more vulnerable.

"We have increased the alertness and readiness of all relevant stakeholders in both Imo and Abia states to emergency response," Nweze added.

He also said that relief materials were given to victims of a windstorm in Umuori and Ekemegbuoha communities in Owerri North Local Government Area.

"Already, we have provided blankets, mosquito nets, vegetable oil, spaghetti and tomato paste to victims of windstorm in Umuori and Ekemegbuoha communities in Owerri North Local Government Area," he stated.

Meanwhile, residents of Emeabiam, FUTO, Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, Umuguma, Ohaozara, Amakaohia, World Bank, Federal Housing, Works Layout, and New Owerri are still assessing their losses due to the flooding.

The flooding affected parts of Owerri and nearby communities. The heavy rain caused roads to be submerged, disrupted transport, and forced many residents to stay indoors.

Michael Okere, a commercial bus driver from Umuguma, said the flooding reduced the number of vehicles on the roads, making transport fares go up.

"Since Thursday when the rains started, some of my fellow bus drivers have parked their vehicles for fear of mechanic visits, so we are few plying the roads now.

"On Monday, we charged N1,000 against the regular N500 fare and the people complained. But since they had parked their vehicles, they had no option but to board our buses," Okere explained.

He mentioned that he eventually charged some passengers the usual fare after thinking about their situation.

"I felt like a schoolchild and so collected the normal fare from them since I’m also a father," he added.

Mrs Nnadi, a civil servant, said commuters are spending a large part of their income on transport just to avoid missing work.

"I paid N1,500 from World Bank Junction to Umuguma Junction yesterday evening. Now the question is, how much do I earn that I pay that much?

"Just because I’m entrusted with the key to my boss’ office, does that mean I should go bankrupt to prove my dedication? I fear that I will skip work on Wednesday if the rain continues," she said.

A secondary school student was also seen asking a bus driver to accept the old fare, saying that was the amount his parents had given him.

In Umuguma, Ezirim Ernest, a resident for 15 years, expressed his frustration about the flooding's effect on movement.

"Since Thursday, I have not left my house because the whole place is covered with water. Flood has taken over Umuguma," he said.

Ernest questioned why the road to the local government headquarters has remained bad for years.

"We expected that with the loss of two lives on that road two years ago, the government would have expedited action on the completion of the road that connects the Federal and Imo Housing estates.

"The contractor who has been on that road for four months is doing nothing to remedy the situation. Umuguma is a business area that serves as the capital of Owerri West Local Government Area," he said.

He called on the Imo State Government to step in and review the contractor's work on the road.

PUNCH Metro learned that parts of popular Okigwe Road and Wethral Road were also under water after the heavy rain, with poor drainage adding to the flooding.

Attempts to get a response from the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, about the government's plans to fix the situation were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls.