‘Our Homes Are No Longer Safe’ Owerri Residents Cry Out as Floods Wreak Havoc
Residents of Umuguma Federal Housing Estate in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have appealed to the government for immediate intervention following severe flooding that has disrupted movement and affected homes and businesses in the community.
The residents said two days of heavy rainfall recently left parts of the estate inundated, with floodwater covering sections of the roads and entering some residential areas.
The situation, they said, made it difficult for residents to travel in and out of the estate, while some business owners were forced to close their shops as the flooding brought commercial activities to a standstill.
They are calling on the Imo State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently rehabilitate the roads and provide adequate drainage facilities to address the recurring problem.
Chiamaka Enyinnaya, a resident, said the flood had made movement around the community extremely difficult, particularly in areas where the roads were completely covered by water.
She described the flooding as a recurring challenge that returns with the rainy season, disrupting residents’ daily activities and affecting businesses and other social engagements.
A shop owner, Anayo Ikechi, attributed the worsening situation to the poor condition of the roads and the lack of effective drainage infrastructure.
“We are suffering seriously because of this flooding. Anytime it rains, movement becomes almost impossible,” he said.
“People cannot go out for work, children find it difficult to move around, and businesses are affected. We sincerely appeal to the Government to come to our aid.”
The situation has also created difficulties for commercial motorcycle operators who depend on the area for their livelihood.
Ebuka, an Okada rider, said the condition of the roads becomes particularly dangerous after rainfall, forcing many riders to stay away from the estate.
“Many Okada riders avoid coming here because the roads are in very bad condition. Those of us who come take huge risks,” he said.
“Water enters our motorcycle exhaust pipes and damages our machines. That is why transportation fares are higher whenever it rains.”
Another resident, Engr. Bethel, said the community had been battling the poor state of its roads for nearly five years, despite repeated appeals for government intervention.
He expressed disappointment that such infrastructure challenges continued to affect residents of a Federal Housing Estate located less than 30 minutes from the state Government House.
“I have lived here for almost five years, and the situation has remained the same. It is unfortunate that a Federal Housing Estate located less than thirty minutes drive from the Government House still experiences this level of infrastructural decay,” he said.
The residents are now calling for urgent action to repair the damaged roads, improve drainage and tackle the root causes of the flooding.
They warned that unless lasting solutions are implemented, every heavy downpour could continue to bring fresh disruption, leaving residents struggling to protect their homes, businesses and livelihoods.
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