FG Urged To Hasten Makurdi-Enugu Road Dualisation After Obollo-Afor Flooding

Residents of Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to the federal authorities to hasten work on the continued dualisation of Makurdi-Oturkpo-Obollo-Afor-Ninth Mile highway following flooding of Obollo-Afor market.

THE WHISTLER studies that the flood adopted a heavy downpour Monday evening. It was gathered that the flooding was triggered by absence of drainage programs on the expressway, having been disrupted for the development of the twin carriageway.

“The flood destroyed everything in my shop,” narrates a store proprietor, Emma Ozioko. “I sell articles. It happened at night, so there was nothing we could do. We are happy with the ongoing dualisation, but the company needs to hasten the work. They can do well by creating water channels at some strategic places. Many of us thought that the rainy season has ended, but this weather is deceptive. Let them consider possible ways to create water channels, otherwise, the victims of the construction will be many.”

A socialite, Innocent Chukwuma, stated the influence of the flooding was devastating. In his phrases, “Goods worth millions of naira were affected. Houses were flooded, leading to damage of household materials. What the construction company should do is to create temporary water dumps and direct waterways there, or open up blocked drainages. I personally had thought that the rainy season has gone, but this rain fell unannounced. We plead with the authorities to salvage the situation.”

An engineer, Jude Ossai, suggested priorities in selecting building websites. “The work is coming all the way from Makurdi. The Obollo-Afor axis is from Oturkpo, targeting 9th Mile. The company can hasten the construction at some commercial areas like Obollo because of business activities. The flood that happened is a result of the blockade the drainage where water flows from the park. Before now, the junction close to Anto Bridge Filling Station has been the spot where debris evacuated from up Udenu roundabout is deposited. Business operators within the area used to evacuate the deposits to even have access to their shops. But the heavy downpour occurred at night. They woke up to count their losses.”

A sufferer, Jane Ezema, stated the development firm dealing with the highway drained the flood on Tuesday to cut back the opposed impacts on the folks. “They tried, but another rain fell in the afternoon of Tuesday, and compounded everything. People were chased out of their homes.”

Our correspondent studies that mechanic workshops, pubs and filling stations have been most affected, apart residences.