Governor Obi Weeps As Flood Devastates Anambra State

Governor Peter Obi

An emotional Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State could not control his tears yesterday when he visited communities that were ravaged by flood. He was overwhelmed by the enormity of the devastation whose cost runs into billions of Naira. Officials of Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies accompanied him.

The communities are Ossomala, Ochuche, Umuodu, Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor and Atani in Ogbaru Local Governemnt Area and Oroma Etiti, Ezi-Anam, (Umuikwu and Umudora), Umuenwelum, Umueze-Anam, Umuoba-Anam, Nmiata, Innoma, Ukwalla, Owelle, Igbedor, Odekpe, Odemagu, Nzam and Igbokenyi in Anambra West. At both council areas, Governor Obi consoled the affected communities and assured them that the state would stand by them at a period he described as “hopeless for them”. After visiting the areas, the governor, in a broadcast to the state, expressed shock at the devastation.

His words: “The level of devastation suffered by these communities is much more than what we were even told. Numerous farms were destroyed and washed ashore, while houses were submerged in the flood. Closer to the banks of the River Niger on Ogbaru area, the over-flowing river has also caused a dangerous coastal erosion that has made the relocation of those living within the affected axis a necessity.”
Though he said that the state government had taken immediate measures, Gov. Obi pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene by declaring the affected local governments flood disaster areas. He also urged the Presidency to embark on measures to manage the situation to save lives and property of the communities from further devastation. In another broadcast, he expressed shock at the claims by some groups and states to the oil field discovered in Anambra.

He wondered why the claims started after the successful commissioning of Orient Petroleum facilities by President, Goodluck Jonathan when he visited Anambra on August 30 this year. Tracing the formation of Orient to Anambra, he said: “It is pertinent to recall that Orient Petroleum Resources Plc was formed during the Government of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju in 2001 and allocated oil fields domiciled in Anambra State.
The board is peopled by prominent Nigerians of Anambra extraction such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Chairman), Dr. Alex Ekwueme (Vice-Chairman) and Chief Arthur Mbanefo, among others.

 Its management is led by Emeka Nwawka.” According to him, “though Dr. Mbadinuju did not make any direct monetary contribution, under Dr. Chris Ngige (2003-2006), the Anambra State Government invested N100 million in the project. “Under our government (between 2006-2009), Anambra State, with the vision and belief in the positive impact of the project on the economy of the state and country, invested, directly and indirectly, four billion, four hundred million naira (N4.4 billion), which bolstered the confidence of other investors to invest in the venture that made its commissioning a reality. “Whilst my predecessors never visited the site, I personally laid the foundation of the refinery.

I have also visited the site severally since 2006, without any group or state interfering in its ownership as is now the case following the announcement of drilling of oil there. “It is also pertinent to note that till date, neither the groups nor the states laying claim to the oil field have, directly or indirectly, invested a kobo in the project, while Anambra State and her people have invested several billions. “Let me at this juncture state that Anambra State believes in good neighbourliness and will, in conformity with our nature, always admire and celebrate other states which may become producers of oil or any other mineral resource in the future.

However, we believe that people’s hardwork, sacrifices and investment should be allowed to match their opportunities. “Anambra State will remain a good neighbour and will continue to pray for oil to be discovered in other states, so that Nigeria will emerge an economic giant in the Comity of Nations,” Obi said.