It has been time of sorrow for the people of Oforola Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, as rain storm destroyed about a hundred buildings and property worth millions of naira.
Aside destroying numerous buildings, the rain storm which started during the midnight on 8th of April, also pulled down some fences and uprooted many trees.
Some of the trees uprooted by the wind storm destroyed people’s roof while they were sleeping and injured over 15 people who were sleeping in their houses, including a physically challenged person.
The rain storm also came with a heavy storm, removed the roof of many buildings and pulled down many houses.
From available reports there was no loss of life but about 20 people sustained injury due to trees that felled on top of people’s roof.
Commenting on the incident, the President General of Oforola Development Union, ODU, Mr Robinson Nwankwo, described it as ugly development and called on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and other good spirited individuals to come to the rescue of his people.
He invited the state governor, State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other relevant government agencies to come over to Oforola Autonomous Community to see the extent of damages done by the wind storm.
The President General who noted that seeing is believing, urged the shared Prosperity Governor of Imo State to remember them in a time like this.
Explaining his experience about the development, the Public Relation Officer of ODU, Mr Evans Madu, described it as a horrific experience, as many have become homeless and hospitalised as a result of the rain storm that wrecked havoc in the community.
Adding his voice, the Financial Secretary of Oforola Development Union, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, prayed that his people will not to experience such again.
According to him, this is a critical time, his people need help, as many whose buildings were destroyed are stranded including poor widows.
The Regent of the Community, ODU Prince Chika Obichere, was among the indigenes of the Community who were affected by what happened.
He lamented that the windstorm also affected his House and the economic trees of his people.
Prince Obichere, expressed deep concern how the roof of the market was badly affected and lamented that it will affect economic activities in the area. He also lamented about the conditions of poor widows badly affected by the windstorm.
Continuing, he disclosed that the community has taken action to remove electric poles pulled down by the windstorm but the need for assistance cannot be ruled
The Regent who seized the opportunity to score the governor high for his road revolution, beckoned on him to remember them in his Shared Prosperity Agenda.
