By Jenny Akporero
High
Chief Johnson Ossai Opone, the president General of Ndokwa Neku Union, has
expressed some level of bitterness over the current situation in Ndokwa Land,
in view of the current flood which had submerged many communities in Ndokwa
east and Ndokwa West LGA, respectively He disclosed this while addressing a press conference to
seek the attention of government to the affected areas submerged by flood,
stressing that the
Federal Government not quite long ago has warned that there is likely to be
flood especially those at the riverine areas and that the flood will not be
that devastating as that of 2012. It was a big surprise to see people with
level of water they have seen so far and according to him, will surpass that of
2012.
He noted
that the Vice President has visited Delta State recently to take records of the
incidents of disasters that happened and was led by the Executive Governor,
Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa to some areas in Delta State and Anambra State.
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| High Chief Johnson Ossai Opone (M) flanks by other Ndokwa community leaders |
The
president General asserted that he has recently met with the Governor
concerning the flood and was told that they should try all they could to
evacuate their people especially those around the Niger Delta river areas.
Chief Opone Observed that many communities like; Okpai, Ase, Aboh, Asaka, Afor,
Ossissa, Obikwele, Iselegu, Utchi, Ugili Amai, Eziokpor, Ezionum, Umukwata,
Umuebu etc have been displaced and devastated.
The
flood according to him has equally claim the life of a two-year-old boy called
Nelson Obochi of Azagba Community.
They have
visited their people with flying boats and some of them are hanging on top of
the trees on the major roads because their houses have been submerged. He has
equally said that they have visited the three IDP camps in Utagba Ogbe
Technical College, Ashaka and Ossissa respectively which foods, beddings,
including other things needed to make them comfortable were all made available
for them.
Chief
Opone made it clear that the flood may not subside quickly with the high level
of water and which has continued to rise, including the level of devastation
done to Ndokwa nation.
Though,
he maintained that apart from the damage done to Ndokwa East by the flood as a
result of the area below the sea level, it has devastated so many other
communities in Ndokwa nation. All the farmlands in Ogume axis, across the river
and others have been totally submerged and no means of livelihood again. His
people according to him are predominantly fishermen and farmers, some have fish
ponds plantain plantation, yam farms etc which run into billions of naira apart
from other properties owned by his people.
He is
therefore calling on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly
come to the aid of Ndokwa people. Chief Opone opened that data is being
prepared to quantify the losses that are estimated in the region of over fifty
Billion Naira. This is because too many houses have been submerged and some are
presently at window level. The road from Ashaka to Aboh has been cut level. The
road from Ashaka to Aboh has been cut off and no vehicle can get to Aboh which
is the LGA Headquarters. He said that the LG Chairman spoke to him about this
that they have been forcefully relocated from the council premises to the Old
Mary Madalene Secondary School as a temporary Headquarters and this can
ascertain the level of devastation.
Most
importantly, the PG is bringing to the notice of the public that though, this
devastation is all over the country, but anytime things of this nature happen,
Ndokwa nation that produces 11, 000 barels of crude oil oer day is not taken
serious by the government. He also added that one third of the light in Abuja
today is been produced by Nodkwa nation, yet no town in Ndokwa nation has
light.
Similarly,
his people have now been forced in hardship because today, no house to stay, no
clothes, no food, no light and yet no federal presence is felt.
As a
result of the above, Chief Johnson Opone is telling the government that Ndokwa
nation that lays the golden egg needs their presence.
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