The surging flood in some parts of Anambra state has sacked local government, judiciary workers and the police in Ogbaru council area.
Other affected buildings in the area where the ravaging flood had continued to cause havoc included schools, churches, health centers farmlands and houses. The story was the same in Anambra west and some parts of Anambra East local government areas where thousands of inhabitants have been displaced and quartered in various camps.
Touched by the plight of the flood victims the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in the state led by its president, Mr Jerry Nnubia, during weekend visited the various refugee camps in Ogbaru, Anambra west and Anambra East council areas and donated 20 bags of rice each to the three local government areas.
The NULGE president who described the natural disaster as unfortunate told the people to be calm while efforts were being made by governments at various levels to alleviate their plight.
Nnubia thanked the state governor, Mr Peter Obi for the efforts he had made so far towards alleviating the sufferings of the victims, particularly by providing them with camps and some relief materials.
He appealed to the federal government, public spirited individuals, non governmental organizations, the WHO and UNICEF among others to come to the rescue of the flood victims.
" We have come to sympathize with you and to tell you to bear it because it is a natural disaster and only God who knows why it happened that would find a lasting solution to your predicament", he advised them.
The deputy chairman of Anambra East, Mr Emeka Akwaobi and the transition chairman of Ogbaru local government, Mr Steve Chukwuma while receiving the food items thanked NULGE for the gesture and prayed God to continue to guide them in all their undertakings.
Chukwuma told journalists that workers of the local government had deserted their offices because of the ravaging flood, saying that it amounted to risk for any staff to continue to come to work in a submerged office blocks.
As at 11.00pm on Sunday, Governor Peter Obi had concluded arrangements concerning Independence Day celebration – the match pass, the reading of Mr. President’s Speech and visit to the less privileged. However, everything changed when, at 11:30pm, the Secretary to the Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze brought the message of impending doom at Ogbaru if the people were not evacuated. Immediately, Governor Obi ordered evacuation to start and promised to join the team at 5:30am. With this, he delegated the Independence Day ceremonies to his deputy. He agreed that Anambra people must be alive first to celebrate Independence.
At 5:45am, Governor Obi was at Ogbaru.
What would have been a major tragedy was averted when the Governor insisted on talking to the people directly to leave all their property and be evacuated to safe places. When he was coming out from Osamalla, flood had already covered the entire road though which he would leave. The Governor and his team had to wade through the flood, which reached their waists, to safety.
At each of the community - Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor, Amiyi, Atani, Mputu, Obeagwe, Ochuche, Odekpe, Ogbakuba, Ogwu-Aniocha, Agwuikpele, Ohita, Okpoko, Ossomala, Umunankwo, Umuodu, Umuzu, the Governor explained to them why they should be evacuated and promised them that Government would continue to assist them till the flood is over and even to rehabilitate them thereafter.
The Governor also toured part of Onitsha that are also affected by flood, especially Habour Industrial Area. He waded through flood to visit all the factories affected by flood some of which are Pokobros, Krisoral, Bororo pipes and profiling, among others. He assured them that Government would stand by them at this time of trial.
One of the Chief Executive Officers of the companies visited, Chief Emmanuel Eziokwu thanked the Governor for coming to sympathise with them and lamented that they suffered heavy losses as the flood had destroyed equipment and products worth billions of naira.
The Governor also visited Iyi-owa Odekpe areas of Ogbaru, where canoe peddlers are making money evacuating people. He encouraged them to move to camps set up by Government and that they would be adequately taken care of.
Speaking, the Anglican Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor who was part of the rescue and evacuation team thanked the Governor for identifying with the people.
Many buses were seen along the road evacuating people to safe areas.
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