Assembly Urges Govt To Save Imo Communities from Flooding

The Imo State House of Assembly has adopted a motion urging the state government to tackle flood menace in communities in Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The   motion   was   moved   by   the   member   representing             the  Nkwerre state

constituency, Chisom Ojukwu, at the plenary session on Monday.

Ojukwu bemoaned the devastating impact of flooding in the communities in Nkwerre Local Government Area, maintaining buildings and businesses had been adversely affected.

The lawmaker further noted, “The rainwater coming from communities in other local government areas such as Orlu and Njaba pass through communities in

Nkwerre before emptying into the Iyi-Ukwu Nkwerre.”

He observed that many years ago, Iyi-Ukwu Nkwerre would easily contain the flood, but today, due to climatic changes, the situation is no longer the same. He said that the Iyi-Ukwu Nkwerre where the rainwater from distant communities empties itself could no longer collect such high volumes of rainwater due to the pollutants, hazardous substances and debris from water bodies.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Budget And Appropriation said, “The rainwater coming from some communities in Orlu and Njaba local government areas through Eziachi and Amucha passing through Eziama-Obaire, Amaokpara and causing great havoc at Okwu, Umukalu, Durumba, Umuokpu, Amangwu, Umukabia, Ukwuinyi, Umuchukwu, Obinuhu Obinocha, etc, all in Nkwerre state constituency have left many dwellers in perpetual agony.”

He called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to come to the rescue of the affected communities, noting that he (Uzodimma) gave attention to motions from the Imo State House of Assembly, unlike what was obtainable in other states.

Calling on his colleagues to lend their support, he said, “The dredging of Iyi-Ukwu Nkwerre into a mini lake and beach resort will make it become a tourist

destination where tourists and fun lovers will be visiting for sight-seeing and other recreational activities, which will help to shore up the internally generated revenue of the state.”

The Chief Whip and the member representing the Oru-Eadt state constituency,

Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, seconded the motion which was co-sponsored by Emeka Ozurumba. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu Kanayo Onyemaechi, Chigozie Nwaneri, Johnson Duru and Okechukwu Udeze.

Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Emeka Ozurumba (Isu) Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie

(Mbaitoli) and James Uba (Onuimo) supported the motion.

They commended the chief sponsor of the motion for drawing the attention of the House to the menace of flooding in Nkwerre Local Government Area, describing the havoc as unquantifiable.

Satisfied with contributions from members, the Speaker, Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted.

The House resolved to urge the Imo State government to direct the state Ministries of Works and Environment and other relevant agencies to urgently find a lasting solution to the flood menace ravaging Nkwerre Local Government Area.

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