The Infant Jesus axis of Asaba, the state capital, is obviously one of the worst hit in this year’s flooding occasioned by the over flow of the banks of the River Niger due to heavy rains and the opening of the Cameroonian dam
A visit to the area confirmed the devastating effect of the flood on residents of phases one and two, whose houses had been submerged, forcing them to relocate to safe grounds.
One of the most affected victims is Mr Pheonil Oduah, whose Honeyfil Riverview Estate has been overtaken by the ravaging flood.
Mr Oduah told newsmen that this year’s flooding was more devastating than it was in 2012 and had adversely affected his real estate business as people were not asking for the apartments for fear of being caught up in the menacing flood.
He commended the state government for the proactive measures taken to mitigate the effect of the flood, but called for a permanent solution to the problem, including the dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue to increase their capacity to contain massive flooding.
Other victims who also spoke appealed to the state government to come to their aid as they had lost their belongings and means of livelihood, including fish ponds, to the ravaging flood.
On why they had not moved to the camps set up for victims by the state government, one of the respondents said he was not aware of the setting up of camps, while another said her family were at the Ogbe Afor camp in Asaba where they were turned back due to lack of space
At the Ogbe Afor camp, the Commandant, Daniel Okpor, of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said all was well in the camp with a population of 1,548 displaced persons from Oko communities, Infant Jesus phases 1 & 2, Elenchele, Ogbeofu, Tipper Garage, and Power Line axis of Oshimili South local government area.
Mr Okpor debunked claims that the camp was turning back displaced persons, pointing out that more persons were being enrolled on a daily basis, while adequate arrangements were in place for their welfare.
He, however, appealed to public spirited individuals and organisations to support the government in catering for the needs of the displaced persons in the camp, especially in the area of healthcare and provision of clothing materials
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