By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Residents of several communities in Ohazara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are counting their losses following a devastating flood that destroyed farmlands, houses, livestock, household belongings and goods worth millions of naira, as the council chairman, Engr. Osborn Umahi, has promised assistance to affected victims.
The disaster has left residents in distress, with emotional scenes of women crying and lamenting their losses as they struggle to come to terms with the destruction of their sources of livelihood and personal property.
One of the victims, Grace Umahi, said she lost farm produce worth millions of naira to the flood.
Other affected residents, who spoke during a visit by the council chairman, lamented that the disaster destroyed household items, provisions stocked in their shops and other valuable belongings, leaving them with significant financial losses.
The affected locations include Enegu Umunaga, Federal Housing Enebor Umuchima, Umuchima Eweze, Eweze Umunaga, Amaenu Uburu and Obegu Afiegu.
Other areas reportedly affected are Agwu and Urobo villages in Uburu, Ihenu Uburu Farm Settlement, Amata Uburu Motor Park and Umuoduigbo Farm Settlement.
The flood damaged farmlands, residential fences, gates, livestock, houses, household utensils and personal belongings, further worsening the plight of residents whose livelihoods depend largely on farming and small businesses.
Speaking during an assessment visit to the affected areas, Umahi said the council was working towards finding a lasting solution to the problem, but noted that the extent of the destruction required intervention from the state and federal governments.
He disclosed that the council had been communicating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Government to explore possible assistance for the victims.
According to him, Governor Francis Nwifuru had assured him that the necessary information on the disaster should be presented to him to facilitate appropriate intervention.
The chairman said he had assessed the affected areas, while a team was also evaluating the damage, adding that he would present the findings to the governor to enable the state government to consider ways of supporting the victims.
“However, for now, the people that have been affected, we are going to collect the list and I’ll make a personal donation to them,” Umahi said.
He further promised to present the situation to the governor and work with the state government to ensure that relief reached the affected residents as soon as possible.
Acknowledging the damage to crops, houses and other properties, Umahi urged the victims to remain hopeful, assuring them that the government would support them to the best of its ability.
“Our job as a government is not to make excuses; it is to come in at situations like this. Why we were elected is to come in, and we will support you as much as possible,” he said.
The chairman expressed confidence that concerted efforts by the local, state and federal governments would help address the situation and provide a lasting solution to the challenges confronting the affected communities.
For the victims, however, the immediate challenge remains how to recover their lost farm produce, replace destroyed belongings and rebuild damaged homes and businesses as they await the promised assistance.