The Nation Newspaper

Tag: homes

  • Homes, cars destroyed as flood sacks Enugu

    Some parts of Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have been sacked by flood. Properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed.

    The disaster affected several residential houses, schools, vehicles and household property.

    Some ‘lucky’ houses that were not badly touched were submerged, trapping some occupants in and rendering many homeless.

    An eyewitness said the three-hour rainfall at the weekend prompted the flood.

    The worst hit areas include Umuchigbo, Iji Nike, Ugbene I, Ogburugbu and some parts of the Nike Express Road all in Enugu East Local Government Area.

    At Umuchigbo, several cars, houses, a school, shops, stores, near the Ava River were flooded, making it impossible for motorists to cross the Ava Bridge.

    A patient with a broken leg at the Foundation Gracia Medical Clinic, Livinus Idu, was trapped in the hospital.

    It took the intervention of the combined team of the Chairman, Enugu East Local Government, Prince Cornelius Nnaji, the representatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (ESEMA), the Ministry of Environment and some other agencies to save Idu.

    He was rehabilitated by Nnaji, who paid his hospital bill, bought his drugs and paid his fare to his home town, Eha-Amufu.

    At Ugbene I, the situation was the same. The stream in the area rose to an astronomical level and all structures near the water ways were sacked.

    The Chairman, Enugu East Local Government, Cornelius Nnaji, said that his council would address the situation.

    “If parts of my council start experiencing this type of flood in May, what would happen in June, July, August, September and October?”

    He called on the Federal Government to enlist his local government as an ecological problem area.

    Commissioner for Environment John Agbo called on the Federal Government to expedite action towards handling the ecological problem that resulted in the flood.

    Some victims-Mrs. Beatrice Jideofor, Daniel Obetta, Crescent Ibekwe and Mrs. Edenoma Justina- blamed the flood on the activities of greedy landlords, who built houses and fences on the water ways.

  • 45 shops, 25 homes burnt in Ibadan

    45 shops, 25 homes burnt in Ibadan

    The week began yesterday on a sad note for residents of Ode-Olo, Inalende and Omitowoyin in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Properties worth several millions of naira were lost as 25 houses and 45 shops were razed when a fuel-laden tanker spilled its content.

    Scores of residents were still missing as at the time of filling this report last night.

    The fire began at about 6.20pm.

    An eye witness said no fewer than 80 tenants were rendered homeless.

    The tanker fell on its side when the driver, who against advice, chose to ply a neighbourhood road under construction.

    It was learnt that the content spilled on St. Stephen Primary School junction, where a food vendor was cooking.

    The National Emergency Management (NEMA), through its Southwest information officer, Ibrahim Fariwoye, blamed the incumbent on the obstinacy of the driver.

    He said: “The PMS tanker fell near residential buildings and close to a woman cooking. Presently (last night), 25 houses and 42 shops have been burnt.

    “Fire fighting operations are ongoing and the details of casualties cannot be ascertained as it is dark. Search and recovery will start as soon as the fire is brought under control by firemen.”

    A resident, who identified herself as Iya Kafaya wailed uncontrollably. She was said to have lost everything to the fire.

    Many of the residents shouted aloud to ensure that their members were not trapped inside the burning houses.

     

  • Wamakko inaugurates N1.12b homes for flood victims

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has inaugurated the N1.12billion 250 housing units built for victims of the 2010 floods in Tanane village, Silame Local Government.

    The governor warned the committee, which will supervise the distribution of the houses, to avoid partisanship and selfishness.

    He said: “You should be just and fair to all and sundry in the discharge of this all-important assignment.”

    The Nation reports that 400 similar housing units are being built for Goronyo flood victims.

    Already, 350 others have been completed for other victims in Gada.

    At Tanane, Wamakko said the housing units have basic social infrastructure to ensure the comfort of the victims.

    The governor explained that the project would give the victims a new lease of life.

    He said: “The estate has been provided with water, clinic, electricity, market, primary school, green belt and roads, among others.”

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Sahabi Gada, hailed Wamakko for the gesture.

    He said N780million was distributed to the 2010 flood victims, besides other materials.

    Silame Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Mani Katami, also hailed the government for the gesture.