Victims of the recent flash flood that ravaged some parts of Ute-Okpu Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, have cried for help, calling on government at all levels and well to do citizens of Nigeria to come to their aid.
It would be recalled that the people of Ute-Okpu Kingdom, Ibiegwa Quarters in particular, were on July 8th, 2025, visited by a flash flood that rendered so many people homeless.
Speaking in an interview on behalf of victims of the August visitor (the flash flood) Mr. Simon Aliemeke, who is now a refugee in one of his friends house, said life has visited him and his family with a devastating blow that he is yet to comprehend with.
Mr. Aliemeke stated that he is yet to come out from the shock occasioned by the flood, adding that live has taken a dangerous fate on him, his family and other victims of the incident.
“This is not the first time we are experiencing this flood. But this year’s own is quite different from the previous years flood.
This one was very heavy and it defiled every genuine efforts we made to contain it’s effect.
“As if I knew that this year’s flood will be devastating, I took a deliberate step to build a fence round my compound as you can see, but the force with which the flood came was much. The fence could not resist the fiery flood as it was brought down within minutes and flown directly into my house.
“It was neighbours and members of my community that braved it to rescue my wife and children as I was away looking for our daily bread.
They were only able to come out alive. All our property, my cloths, my wife cloths, my children note books, their school uniform and even my electronics, all were sweep away to a near by burrow pit. As I speak with you we don’t have anything. Even to eat by the mercy of people,” Mr. Aliemek lamented in near tears.
He explained that the water flowing to a near by canal has increased with the recent construction of roads within the community without proper provision for drainage. “Even flood from Otolokpo community and all the farm roads, end up in my compound.”
On the way forward, Mr. Aliemeke suggested that government relocate all residents of that area while it opens up the silted drainage and burrow pit to enable it accommodate flood waters whenever it rains.
“Actually I don’t think the villagers can provide any solution to this problem except government. In the interim, government can open up the gutters and burrow pit in this place. We have two burrow pit here but they are already silted.
“I am appealing to both local , state and federal governments to help relocate us to a plan land where we will not experience this kind of thing. I cannot even wish this for my enemy. We need help from public spirited individuals. Even to feed is a problem to us. We want government to help us.”
Mr. Aliemeke used the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation to those who came to their rescue during the flash flood invasion, as well as those who have supported them in one way or the other since the incident, just as he expressed hope of help coming from both government and well to do citizens from Ute-Okpu and beyond.
