Umoghun-Nokhua (Orhionmwon), Edo State, Nigeria – By Our Correspondent
Over 95 houses, food stuffs, personal property and other valuables worth several millions of naira were washed away by flood occasioned by the early morning rainfall of Tuesday in Umoghun-Nokhua Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
When News Crew visited the area, residents of the community were seen lamenting over the wanton destruction which was attributed to the poor state of the ongoing construction work in the only road that links the community to the nearby Oben Community.
It was also observed that eight streets in the community, namely Idun-Ohue, Idun-Ola, Idun-Isi and Idun-Ere were badly affected by the disaster.
Affected landlords who identified themselves as Mr. Osaro Edo, Ozigbe Osaiyekemwen and Mr. Pullen Ayomwan said they have never experienced flooding in the community until ASKY Construction firm – a company the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded the contract to since 2010 started construction work in the area.
They questioned the rationale behind the firm’s channeling the erosion in the community through shallow gutters whose borrow pit is at the centre of the community, reasoning that the contractor ought to have channeled the water to the end of the community where it will not affect existing houses.
While calling on all tiers of government, and relevant agencies including NDDC to come to their aid, the residents said they were apprehensive that if urgent attention is not taken to remedy the situation, sooner or later the entire community might be wash-off by flood.
Contacted for comment, the construction firm site-supervisor, Prince Wilfred absolved the company of any blame, stressing that the community people are largely responsible for the woes that have befallen them in respect of the flood disaster.
Hew however Sympathized with affected landlords who lost houses and personal belongings to the flooding and said the only way to remedy the situation is for the community to invite NDDC and dialogue with the agency for possible solution.
“As for ASKY Construction Company there is nothing the firm can do about it because, when it came up with the initial design for the channeling of the water nobody was willing to part with their land, even when NDDC was ready to pay compensation for whatever property was acquired in the process of constructing the road”, he explained.
On his part, the Enogie of Umoghun-Nokhua, His Royal Highness Raphael Aiwerioghene described the flooding as a great tragedy to him and his people, adding that the community had never before witnessed such a disaster that now make affected residents refugees in their land of birth.
The Enogie who also identified road construction as largely responsible for the disaster however called on relevant authorities to come to their aid even as he directed the construction firm to return to site immediately and construct a drainage system that could better channel flood in the area.
