Rt. Hon. Chuchu Onyema, the Federal House member representing the good and peace-loving people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, has sought the Federal Government’s intervention for victims of the boat mishap in Ọgbaru Federal Constituency and the negative effects of the flood.
The Lawmaker described 7th October 2022 as a dark Friday in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, when a boat mishap led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties, thus turning families into orphans, widows and widowers.
The lawmaker was sadden that the construction of the Dasin Hausa Dam initiated by the Nigerian government over 40 years to contain waters released from the Lagdo Dam of Cameroon without such a destructible loss; is yet to be completed.
Ikenga Ọgbaru further stated that this 2022 flooding is more than what was experienced in 2012 and could be much higher in future as a result of climate change if nothing serious is done to contain it.
Further worries are that many roads, bridges, school buildings, health facilities and markets in Ogbaru have been damaged by the severe flooding and causing the road to left in a deplorable state.
Sadly, the only road that traverses from Anambra State to River State through the Onitsha/Atani/Ogwu Ikpele/Ase/Ndoni route was abandoned for over 20 years, making the waterways the only means of transportation for the people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency, especially during the rainy season.
The House, after a one-minute silence was observed in honour of those who lost their lives in the boat accident, resolved the following;
– Ordered the National Emergency and Disaster Management Agency to send relief materials to the flood-affected areas across the country;
– Ordered the National Inland Waterways Authority to initiate and supervise safe water transportation policy across the country;
– Ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria and its subsidiaries to collate data of individuals in the affected areas and as well provide support funds to ensure quick recovery from the impact of flooding.
– Ordered the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to commence the rehabilitation/construction of the Ossomala- Ogwu Ikpele-Ase-Ndoni road among others damaged by the flood.
– Ordered the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to provide and administer vaccines against water bore diseases/epidemics in the affected areas.
– Mandated the Committee on Water Resources to investigate circumstances surrounding the non-completion of the Dasin Hausa Dam Project after forty years and report back within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.
– also mandated Committees on Works, NEMA, Water Resources, Health Care Services and Waterways to ensure compliance and report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative actions.
Supporting the affected families of the flood disaster, Rt. Hon. Chukwuka Onyema (Ochendo Ọgbahu) presented to the Transition Committee Chairman and the Chairman of Flood Committee of Ogbaru Local Government for the flood victims in Ogbaru Local Government, relief materials including;
- 100 Bags of 50kg Rice.
- 300 Cartons of Tommy Tommy Indomie.
- 80 Cartons of Cabin Biscuit.
- 40 Cartons of Premium Toilet Soap.
- 40 Cartons of Detergent.
He also made available three of his family buildings of 3 storeys each at Iyowa Odekpe to shelter the flood victims from Ogbaru Local Government.
Present at the ceremony were; Hon.ChuChu Onyema, Hon. Somtoo Udeze, Hon.Noble Igwe, Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna, Hon. Nwasike (Uti), Hon. Okwudili Okoli, Dr. Iweama.V. Okwudili, Prince Ononuju (Sulele), Chief Chinedu Okwuosa, Hon. Onyekwelu Mbanefo, Hon. Chinedu Nnabuife, Mr.Ogomegbunam Isama, and many others.
