Flood: LP Governorship Aspirant Ezeagu Urges Imo Govt to Protect Residents
Gbolahan Salman
Labour Party governorship aspirant in Imo State, Hon. Ifeanyi Thaddaus Ezeagu, has called on the Imo State Government to urgently address the recurring flooding in Umuguma Federal Housing Estate, Owerri West Local Government Area, describing the situation as a failure of government’s responsibility to protect lives and property.
Ezeagu made the call following complaints by residents whose homes, roads and businesses were submerged after two days of heavy rainfall, leaving many stranded and disrupting economic activities in the estate.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the Labour Party chieftain expressed concern over the hardship being faced by residents, saying it was unacceptable that a community located close to the seat of government should continue to suffer from avoidable flooding due to poor infrastructure.
According to him, government has a constitutional obligation to provide functional drainage systems, maintain roads and ensure a safe environment for citizens.
“It is heartbreaking to hear residents lament that their lives are in danger whenever it rains. No responsible government should allow its people to live under such conditions year after year without decisive intervention,” Ezeagu said.
He noted that the recurring flooding has crippled businesses, restricted movement, endangered lives and exposed residents to health hazards associated with stagnant water.
The governorship hopeful urged the state government to immediately deploy emergency response teams to assess the affected areas, clear blocked drainage channels and commence comprehensive reconstruction of damaged roads within the estate.
He also called for a long-term flood control strategy, including proper urban planning, expansion of drainage infrastructure and regular desilting of waterways to prevent future occurrences.
Ezeagu sympathised with residents whose homes and means of livelihood had been affected by the flood and assured them that their plight deserved urgent government attention rather than neglect.
He further appealed to relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to provide relief materials to affected families while permanent solutions are being implemented.
Residents of Umuguma Federal Housing Estate had earlier raised the alarm over severe flooding that submerged residential buildings and roads after heavy rainfall, forcing commuters to wade through floodwaters and compelling many business owners to shut down operations.
They blamed the persistent flooding on deteriorating road infrastructure and inadequate drainage, urging the Imo State Government to urgently intervene before the situation results in loss of lives and property.
