By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State House of Assembly has urged the Governor of the State, to direct the Minister of Works to wade into rescuing the residents of Works Layout Owerri from flood disaster by evacuating the borrow pit and mouth of the Balloon Technology tunnel constructed to control flood.
They made the call on Thursday when the motion was raised by the Deputy Minority leader, and member representing Owerri Municipal, Rt. Hon. Clinton Amadi during the House plenary.
Presenting the motion, Amadi pointed out that the residents of kurume Uche and Standard Shoe Industry Area of Works Layout Owerri were facing severe flood disaster.
He presented a video of how vehicles, buildings were submerged, and properties damaged in one of such occasions.
Amadi also revealed that a life had also been lost as a result of the flooding, and many being electrocuted due to contact of the electric wire with the water.
The lawmaker averred, “this has become the challenge the residents of the area are facing in this rainy season due to lack of decongestion of the borrow pit and the Balloon Technology tunnel which is almost blocked with sand and debris.
“This challenge is not just experienced by residents of kurume Uche and Standard Shoe Industry Area of Works Layout Owerri, but also the people staying around Aladimma area whose balloon technology is also clogged.
“The technology which was constructed earlier by Governor Hope Uzodimma to save the people from such occurrence, had been working perfectly well in averting such disaster, but because it is not flushed from time to time, it has given room for flood to ravage the area,’Amadi stated’.
He therefore called on the Assembly to urge the governor to direct the heads of the appropriate Ministries; Ministry of Works and Environment to immediately wade into emptying the tunnels, and to always endeavor to implement the measure periodically to avoid such devastating issue.
Supporting the motion, the Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru East) reiterated how worrisome the situation was, disclosing that the floods get as deep as five feet when it occurs.
Nwaneri who hinted on the need for the issue to be tackled headlong, stated that even businesses are no longer thriving in the area.
Adding his voice, the Owerri North legislator, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum further suggested for the contractor who built the tunnels to also be called to fix its damaged parts.
The motion gained massive support of the legislators, and as there was no one against it, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe put it to vote and the Ayes had it.
He also directed the Clerk, Mrs Chinelo Emeghara to reach out the governor on the resolution of the House.
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