In a significant show of sympathy and concern aimed at ensuring the residents of Kurume Uche street and Standard Shoe Industry area of Works Layout Estate, Owerri do not continue to suffer the devastating effects of flooding, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Commissioner for Works to direct the Staff of the Ministry to evacuate the borrow pit and clear the mouth of the blocked tunnel, for easy flow of flood.
This was as a result of the Motion moved, during Plenary on Thursday 26/09/2024, by the Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency and Deputy Minority Leader, Rt Hon Clinton Amadi.
Moving the Motion, Rt Hon Amadi expressed deep sympathy and concern for the residents, as they are facing hardship and their lives and properties seriously endangered anytime it rained.
Hon Amadi however explained that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma greatly assisted residents of Kurume Uche street and Standard Shoe Industry area of Works layout with Balloon Technology Tunnel which enabled easy flow and evacuation of flood during the rainy season, and has been useful to these residents and working without problems, until this year, 2024, because of lack of maintenance of the borrow pit, which has now filled up and the mouth of the tunnel almost blocked with sand and debris, and as a result, it is no longer easy for flood to flow.
Further bemoaning the condition of the residents, Hon Clinton Amadi said that Houses and other properties have been destroyed by flooding, with a life being lost. In his words, the ranking lawmaker, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Digital Economy and E–Government said, *”In order to avert further casualties and continued flooding of the streets and adjoining streets, the borrow pit (tunnel) should be evacuated of debris and sand”.*
The Motion which was seconded by the Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemlam, was co-sponsored by the following nine (9) lawmakers ;
1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
2. Hon Emeka Ozurumba.
3. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
4. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
5. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.
6. Hon Bernard Ozoemelam.
7. Hon Sam Osuji.
8. Hon Kelechi Ofurum.
9. Hon Okechukwu Udeze.
Supporting the Motion, the following Four (4) Members made commendable contributions ;
1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-East).
2. Hon Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri-North).
3. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise).
4. Hon Emeka Ozurumba .
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows;
* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Commissioner For Works To Direct The Ministry Staff To Evacuate The Borrow Pit And Further Clear The Mouth Of The Chambers Of The Tunnel To Enable Easy Flow Of The Flood, To Avert Further Disaster In The Already Devastated Area.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
*Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*
26/09/2024
