Torrential rain, on Sunday, wrecked havoc in the Nibo community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The rain flooded homes and business areas, pushing down fences and damaging agricultural produce.
Residents said the rain lasted for hours. They also blamed the flood on the poor drainage systems.
They added that despite several complaints to Willie Obiano’s government, nothing tangible was done to mitigate the flood.
But Engr. Felix Odimegwu, the Commissioner for Environment said the people of the state must change their attitude to ensure that drainages are free.
He said: “I woke up to the sad news of the destruction occasioned by yesterday’s rains at Nibo, in Awka South LGA.
“I sincerely commiserate with all the affected persons, especially the Management of TRIG Point Hotels.
“Experts from the Anambra State Ministry of Environment have been deployed this morning to ascertain the extent of damage and establish causation.
“The rains are here again, part of our obligations as Citizens is to continue to ensure that our drainages are free, flood channels are left unencumbered and wastes are properly disposed.
“Much as flooding is a natural disaster, we cannot deny the role of human actors in aggravating it.
“As a people, we must begin to take proactive measures in tackling some of our problems, particularly with regards to our attitude to the environment.
“Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important action that must precede any human endeavour geared towards altering the environment either for private or commercial purposes.
“In the past weeks, the Anambra State Government started the de-silting of blocked sewages and flood channels in selected areas of our major urban centres.
“We are encouraged to support the activities of government by our modest acts of cleanliness. This way, we can collectively mitigate the impact of future occurrence, if not totally stall it:”.
