Heavy rainfall on Tuesday triggered severe flooding in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, submerging homes and farmlands worth millions of naira, according to Premium Times reports. The overflow of a nearby river devastated several communities, with some structures collapsing under the surging waters. The disaster left many residents homeless and prompted urgent calls for government action. The flooding, described as the worst in living memory by local leaders, disproportionately affected areas near the riverbank. Abia Okoro, chairman of Amaegbu Village in Umuobor Community, stated, "This is the first time I’ve seen such a flood. Everywhere was filled with water, even in my own house, the water is still on the roof." He attributed the vulnerability to the community’s proximity to the river, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions. PDP gubernatorial candidate Ifeanyi Odii announced a N5 million relief donation to affected families on Thursday through a delegation led by state PDP Chairman Chukwuma Igwe. Igboke Felix, the PDP candidate for Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, explained that Odii could not visit personally but assured residents the party would prioritize their needs. "We are here as a party, not as a government," Igboke said, adding that NEMA and other agencies would intervene for sustained support. Igboke pledged that a potential PDP administration would address flooding root causes rather than relying on post-disaster aid. "By the grace of God, when we come to office in 2027, we will ensure this environmental disaster doesn’t happen again," he stated. The promise came as residents urged both state and federal governments to provide immediate relief and infrastructure improvements to mitigate future risks. The affected community highlighted the lack of preparedness for such disasters. Okoro noted, "It has never happened since I was born," underscoring the unprecedented scale of the flooding. Local leaders called for urgent action, including riverbank reinforcement and early warning systems, to protect residents from recurring threats. Premium Times reported that a video clip circulating on Facebook showed a building in Akaeze partially collapsing under floodwaters, symbolizing the crisis’s severity. The incident has intensified debates over climate resilience and governance in flood-prone regions of Nigeria. As the cleanup continues, the disaster has reignited discussions about the need for proactive environmental policies. With the 2027 gubernatorial election approaching, the PDP’s response to the crisis could shape its credibility as a party committed to addressing systemic vulnerabilities in Ebonyi State.
Ebonyi Floods Destroy Homes, Displace Families as PDP Candidate Announces Relief Efforts
paragraphs_2024-04-05T00:00:00Z
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
floods, Ebonyi State, PDP, relief efforts, environmental disaster
Heavy flooding in Ebonyi State's Akaeze community has destroyed homes and farmlands, displacing over 130 families. PDP gubernatorial candidate Ifeanyi Odii pledged N5 million in relief, while residents urge government intervention to prevent future disasters.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
Ebonyi Floods Destroy Homes, Displace Families as PDP Candidate Announces Relief Efforts
Heavy flooding in Ebonyi State's Akaeze community has destroyed homes and farmlands, displacing over 130 families. PDP gubernatorial candidate Ifeanyi Odii pledged N5 million in relief, while residents urge government intervention to prevent future disasters.
Ebonyi Floods Destroy Homes, Displace Families as PDP Candidate Announces Relief Efforts
Heavy flooding in Ebonyi State's Akaeze community has destroyed homes and farmlands, displacing over 130 families. PDP gubernatorial candidate Ifeanyi Odii pledged N5 million in relief, while residents urge government intervention to prevent future disasters.