By Our Correspondent
Several houses were submerged on both sides of the Awka- Onitsha old highway following flood that is ravaging Ogidi in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.
The development was worsened by a heavy rainfall in the early hours of Monday. Many residents affected by the flood are already packing their belongings and relocating to safer areas of the state.
Several vehicles were also stuck in the flood that has completely taken over about two kilometers stretch of the ever -busy road and, as a result, motorists have been diverting to nearby villages where youths mounted tolls and forcing the drivers to pay before being allowed to pass.
Worried by the development, the youths of Ogidi took to the flooded highway with placards and calling on both the federal and state governments to intervene immediately so as to save the community from further destruction.
President of Ogidi youths, Mr. Chris Obi Okafor, who led the protest, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to save the community by tackling the problem without delay.
In an emotion- laden speech he made while kneeling on the flooded road, Okafor lamented that the economy of the area has been grounded because of the flood, which, he added, has been a recurring feature every rainy season.
He said: “Every rainfall in our community has become a nightmare. What used to be a blessing from God has now become a season of fear, sorrow and destruction. The flood disaster in Ogidi has gone beyond ordinary suffering; it has become a humanitarian crisis.
“Our fathers can no longer go to their farms with peace because cash crops and economic trees worth millions have been washed away. Businesses are collapsing daily. Roads have become rivers. Homes are flooded. Movement has become almost impossible.
“Even the palace and surroundings of our revered Traditional Ruler, Igwe Ogidi, are not spared. Whenever rain falls, the area becomes impassable. If the palace of our traditional ruler can be overtaken by flood, then tell us, where exactly is safe in Ogidi?.”
Okafor said further: “Our children are the ones suffering the most painful fate. Each time rain falls, many children cannot go to school. Imagine the future we are creating when our children are forced to stay at home every rainy season. Imagine the dreams that are dying silently because a child cannot cross flood waters to access education.
“What becomes of a community whose children are denied learning because of flood? What becomes of tomorrow when today is already destroyed?
“We are only in the month of May, and Ogidi is already submerged. We tremble whenever dark clouds gather because we know that what follows next is destruction, fear, hunger and
tears. We cannot imagine what will happen when the rains come fully.
“We plead with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent federal intervention before lives are lost. Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, we speak to you today with heavy hearts. Ogidi has supported this government with our whole
being.
“We have stood faithfully with the progress of Anambra State, but today, our people look back in pain and ask: In what way have we offended the government?”
“Mr. Governor, please do not ignore our cries. We have no other place to run to. Do not allow Ogidi to perish in silence ”
He also called on the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra State Ministry of Works, as well as emergency management agencies and other relevant authorities responsible for tackling erosion and flood disasters in Nigeria to come to their aid.
“This is not politics; this is about human lives; this is about children; this is about survival”, Okafor pleaded.
The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, while addressing the youths urged them not to take the laws into their hands, even as he commended them for being peaceful.
The Royal Father said he would lead a delegation of the community to see Governor Soludo on the issue.
He recalled that the governor had promised to tackle the flood and wondered what is causing the delay.
