The Imo House of Assembly has urged Gov. Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry of Works to carry out the desilting of the flooded parts of Works Layout in Owerri Municipal.
The house made the appeal on Thursday, following a motion moved by the representative of Owerri Municipal State Constituency, Mr Clinton Amadi.
Presenting the motion during the plenary session, Amadi said that the residents of Kurume Uche Street and Standard Shoe Industry area of the layout were facing severe flooding.
He said that one life had been lost, while homes and business premises in the area had been destroyed by the floods.
He also said that the Balloon Technology tunnel, built by the present government in the area, had failed due to blockage from sand and debris, making it impossible for adequate draining of flood waters.
The lawmaker emphasised the need for immediate action “to forestall further loss of lives, devastation and destruction of property”.
He, therefore, prayed the house to urge the governor to direct the Commissioner for Works to immediately desilt the tunnel to enable proper water flow and avert more devastations.
Contributing to the motion, the Chief Whip, Mr Chigozie Nwaneri, said that the severity of the situation was worrisome, adding that the flood water was as deep as five feet.
Nwaneri also said that the flooding had led to the loss of revenue from the area by the government, pointing out that the ugly development had paralysed business activities in the area.
Also supporting the motion, Mr Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri North) said that the contractor, who built the tunnel, should be brought to effect necessary repairs.
Mr Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu) further said that the floods had reduced the quality of lives of the residents and devalued the property in the area.
According to him, the major focus of the government should be to protect lives and property in the state.
“Government should take immediate action to handle the flooding,” he said.
Followimg the contributions of other lawmakers, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe, ruled in favour of the prayers.
Olemgbe also directed the Clerk, Mrs Chinelo Emeghara, to convey the resolutions to the governor and ministry. (NAN).
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