Residents of Abia State are presently counting their loss following the ravaging flood which hit numerous elements of the State.
Abia, South-East Nigeria, much like many different States of the federation, is having its truthful percentage of the devastating flood, which has rendered hundreds of thousands of human beings homeless, with a few pronounced dead.
Many investors, automobile owners, assets owners, amongst others, in Aba, the industrial hub of Abia State, have misplaced numerous billions of naira to the devastating flood.
On September 26, 2022, a big populace of Aba citizens acquired the worst blow as they wakened and noticed submerged stores, residential and company homes on the well-known Ariaria International Market and its environs.
DAILY POST reviews that this led to finish destruction of products really well worth billions of naira.
Group of investors, who couldn't endure the development, staged a non violent protest, searching for the intervention of the Government of Abia State.
Reacting to the protest through investors in Ariaria International Market Aba, the State Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, said: “even as we glaringly don't have any manner of stopping heavy rains from falling in any of our markets, the management undertook the continuing remodelling of the marketplace, beginning with A-line, with new drains, avenue and stores improved and aligned well to conclusively address the perennial flooding demanding situations skilled through investors because inception of the marketplace.
“While it's miles a truth that authorities has no device in the mean time to save you torrential rains from falling in any a part of the State, together with Ariaria International Market area, we've continuously taken measures to make certain that investors do now no longer go through unduly because of the forecast floods ravaging each the united states of america and the complete world”.
Kalu continued, “After due evaluation of the contemporary flooding state of affairs throughout the united states of america, affected regions in Ariaria and the subsisting forecast through Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) advising similarly arrangements for extra floods, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has authorized the instant relocation of investors in A-D zones of A-line to to be had stores withinside the A block sector, So-Safe sector and Ochendo sector in Ariaria International Market for brief lodging with none charges pending the final touch of the continuing work”.
On the protest through investors in Aba over the incessant instances of flooding in Ariaria International marketplace, Kalu, however, defined the protesters as politically subsidized people masquerading as investors at Ariaria International Market, main to the destruction of a few creation device deployed to make certain the right remodelling of A-line.
On measures and efforts taken through Abia authorities to deal with reasons of the rampaging floodings in Aba marketplace and its environs, the Trade and Investment Commissioner, Kalu who frowned on the constructing of systems randomly with out making plans, reechoed the call for through Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led management for strict implementation of bodily making plans requirements.
He said, “the shortage of precedence given to the implementation of bodily making plans requirements had caused arbitrary erection of systems on unapproved spaces, specially in Ariaria International marketplace in which homes had been constructed even on drainage channels.
“Look on the demanding situations of flooding we're dealing with on the Ariaria marketplace, it's miles because of constructing randomly with out making plans. That’s why you spot floods submerging many stores and home houses.”
Similarly, citizens of Umuahia, the Abia capital town aren't exempted. Areas inside Umuahia axis, together with first gate of Ehimiri Housing Estate, alongside Ikot Ekpene avenue, Orpet junction, Afara/Agbama/Holy Ghost Secondary School avenue main to Ahiaukwu Olokoro in Umuahia south area, Apumiri Ubakala junction through Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt Express avenue and few others too point out are scuffling with the herbal disaster.
Irked through ravaging flooding being skilled in Umuahia and Aba towns at some stage in the every year wet season, a move segment of Abia citizens, on Friday, maintained that sufficient movement has now no longer been taken through the Government of Abia State in curbing the cruel impact of flood in maximum elements of the State.
In an interview with DAILY POST, a businessman and resident of Aba, Mr Maurice Ndubueze, regretted that the flood ravaging the State become because of horrific roads and drainage blockages.
According to Nwabueze, “the State authorities have to step up efforts in creation and rehabilitation of roads. You can see that the hyperlink roads inside and outdoor Ariaria marketplace right here in Aba are deplorable, thereby inflicting devastating floods. Government have to get it proper through elevating the bar in essential infrastructure.”
On her component at some stage in an interplay with our correspondent, a lady dealer who sells tomatoes on the famous Orie Ugba Market in Umuahia township, Madam Nkechi Nwankwo regretted the worsening flood screw ups in the marketplace.
She additionally regretted the sorry kingdom of hyperlink roads inside and outdoor the seashorelines of the markets which she defined as one of the main reasons of flood screw ups withinside the Umuahia regions.
Nwankwo, however, entreated builders to challenge themselves to making plans earlier than erecting industrial systems and home homes.
