Mr. Frank Ugboma, the lawmaker representing Oguta state constituency in Imo, has cried to the Federal Government to urgently send relief materials and other medical facilities to victims of the recent flood disaster in Oguta Local Government.
Ugboma made the call on Thursday when he led a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to visit flood-ravaged communities in the local government for an assessment of the damage caused by the flood.
The lawmaker visited Osuobodo autonomous community, Eziosu, Kalagbari Beech, and Oguta-Anaechi communities amongst others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a recent flood in Imo submerged no fewer than 150 houses in various communities in Oguta LGA and rendered scores of people homeless.
NAN reports that the lawmaker and the NEMA team visited the ravaged communities with the aid of a stick boat, while victims were seen vacating the area.
Ugboma, who decried the level of hardship in the affected areas, disclosed that the current situation was worse than the 2012 flood incident in the area.
He said millions of naira worth of property were destroyed, while farmlands in the area were also submerged.
Ugboma said only swift intervention from the federal government would minimize the sufferings of the victims.
“I came to identify with my constituents affected by the recent flood, I have gone around the affected areas and would make a case for my people at the state level.
“I call on the federal government to immediately come to our rescue, my people have all fled their homes and seeking settlement in uptown, their hardship is too much,” he said.
While sympathizing with the victims, Ugboma also donated cash to some of the victims for immediate medical attention.
Leader of the NEMA delegation and Principal Search and Rescue Officer, Mr Innocent Nwaeze, said the damage was massive and promised to do a comprehensive report to NEMA.
He also advised against building houses close to the river and urged the victims to permanently relocate from the areas close to Oguta lake.
The Traditional Ruler of Oguta-Anaechi autonomous community, Chinedu Nzeribe, decried the development and called government at all levels for help and permanent solution to the problem. (NAN)
